1st Sunday of Lent

My dear parishioners,

God is Good!!!  All the time!!!  And all the time!!!  God is Good!!!

Because at Meribah he misrepresented God (Numbers 20:12–13,) Moses is barred from leading the people across the Jordan River and into Canaan. But before he steps aside for his successor, Joshua, Moses speaks to the tribes of Israel, urging them to remain thankful for all the blessings God has given them.

The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent focuses on Luke’s account of the temptations of Jesus. Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist; at that event the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove (Luke 3:21–22). This serves as a divine preparation for the temptations Jesus is about to undergo. The 40-days referenced recalls the 40 years Israel wandered in the wilderness, preparing for their eventual entry into the promised land (Deuteronomy 8:2). Many commentators think that these three temptations symbolize the kind of temptations Jesus had to confront his entire adult life. His adversaries attempted to force him to offer proof that he was indeed the Son of God.

Turn stone into bread. On the surface of things, this challenge appears to be a good action that could help a lot of people: Feed the hungry. Jesus himself had just experienced being hungry from 40 days in the desert. However, the temptation is not to feed the hungry. The temptation is to use his divine power to prove his divinity. That is not the mission Jesus has received from God. Israel was tempted in similar ways during her sojourn in the desert, and she failed the test (Deuteronomy 8:1–3). Jesus will not succumb to that same temptation.

Possess all the kingdoms of the world. The second temptation is all about worldly power. Satan will give Jesus the fullness of this power if only he will worship the tempter. Jesus could then reshape the world in any fashion he desired. Jesus again shows a keen aware[1]ness of what his mission is. He is to worship only God and God alone (Deuteronomy 6:12–13). Once again, where Israel failed Jesus will succeed.

Jump from the parapet of the temple without incurring injury. Again, this refers to Deuteronomy 6:16, which describes how Israel tested God. If Jesus is really the Son of God, then he will be able to rely on divine help to protect him from any harm. Jesus remains steadfast in his commitment to his divine mission. This is something that Israel could not accomplish. Jesus is not opposed to doing good, and that is what Satan attempts to exploit. Jesus, however, is com[1]mitted to doing better, and that means remaining faithful to his divine mission.

Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Aloysius