The Holy Spirit gathers us together today as we begin this forty-day season of Lent. Life is full of temptations, and we are especially aware of them during Lent. We are tempted to do things we find desirable, even when we know they’re wrong. We are tempted to avoid things that are undesirable, even when we know they’re the right thing to do. Today we hear the serpent successfully tempt Adam and Eve and the devil unsuccessfully tempt Jesus. May the Holy Spirit, who accompanied Jesus in the desert and accompanies us wherever we go, give us the strength to resist temptation.
Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
Temptation has been part of the world from the beginning. In the story of creation, humanity’s first home is the garden in Eden, with the forbidden tree right in its center. We hear Adam and Eve succumb to the serpent’s wiles in this garden of plenty. In its opposite—a barren desert—Jesus uses God’s word to resist the temptations of the devil. Paul tells us that Adam and Eve’s disobedience brought death into the world, but Jesus’ obedience brought life. Let us listen to how the righteousness of truth can defeat the temptation of lies.
Reflections
It would appear that the devil didn’t really know the Son of God too well. Each temptation would have been much more successful if he’d been dealing with a self-centered person instead. After days of fasting alone in a barren desert, a self-centered person would have been only too glad to see stones turn into bread. A self-centered person would have no qualms about jumping off a parapet if angels would prevent any harm. A self-centered person would do anything to gain all the kingdoms of the world.
The truth is that Jesus did accomplish all these things, but not because he gave in to temptation. No, he accomplished all these miraculous things because he did them on behalf of others. He offered his own body to be living bread to nourish the whole world. He threw himself at the mercy of the authorities and was lifted up on a cross—not to be saved by angels, but to save all of us. He did not gain all the kingdoms of the world for himself, but he gained God’s kingdom—more magnificent than any earthly kingdom—for us all. His obedience to his Father gained for us all what his disobedience would have gained for only himself.
It may surprise you to realize that Jesus was not actually alone in the desert for forty days and forty nights. The Holy Spirit, who had just descended upon him like a dove as he was baptized, accompanied him every step of the way. The Holy Spirit descended upon us as well when we were baptized and accompanies us always, guiding us, strengthening us, supporting us. As we approach Easter and our rebirth in the waters of baptism, may we realize the presence of the Spirit, given to us at baptism and remaining with us forever.
Question of the Week
When does my self-centeredness lead me to give into temptation? How can my Christian concern for others help me resist that temptation?
-from Pastoral Patterns
readings of the mass
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Offerings
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