Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Lent (March 10, 2019): DT 26:4-10; PS 91:1-2,10-11,12-13,14-15; ROM 10:8-13; LK 4:1-13
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
On this first Sunday of Lent we meet Jesus just as He finishes a period of fasting and prayer. He is physically weakened and the devil makes his move – he will tempt Jesus into betraying His Father’s will.
“Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, One does not live on bread alone’” (Luke 4:1-4). Our Lord knows that it is God who sustains life. Satisfying His own desires at the expense of doing what Almighty God wants would destroy their mutual trust. We then see the devil entice Christ to choose worldly riches and power and, finally, to call attention to Himself in a grandiose way. Each time Jesus reveals His complete fidelity to His Father because He relies on our Almighty God to be faithful to Him – supplying His needs and leading Him to fulfill His mission.
Jesus came to claim humankind for Himself by sacrificing His own life for ours. We have heard this truth so often that it can sound mundane instead of profound. God sent His Beloved Son to suffer and die and rise again – for us. And Jesus remained loyal to the divine will, no matter the price. And the Father stayed faithful to Christ as He stays faithful to us. He heals our souls and offers us an eternal life beyond death and sin, and even time. Then we will abide with God who is never-ending love. That is what we need to understand and hold on to during Lent and all the days of our life.