1st Sunday of Lent - Fr. Leo

Jesus is lead by the Spirit into the desert where he fasted and prayed for forty days.  Being 
hungry in many ways he became vulnerable and was tempted to be other than who God calls him to be.

First, the devil says: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” In this 
temptation Jesus is tempted to make himself known by what he can do. To let his ego impress people 
through what he can achieve. Jesus tosses off that temptation by remembering that he is called to 
live on more than bread alone. Living in the Spirit is more important than feeding one’s ego to 
feel superior to others.

Secondly, the devil says: “I shall give you all this power and glory; all this (kingdoms power, and 
glory) will be yours, if you worship me.”  In this temptation Jesus is tempted to value himself by what he 
has or could have if he used his gifts for self-glory. Again Jesus recognizes his true calling is 
to worship the Lord, God, and serve Him alone.

Thirdly, the devil says: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is 
written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, 
let you dash your foot against a stone.” In this temptation Jesus is tempted to define himself by 
what othersthink and say of him.  Again, Jesus passes on an ego trip by recognizing his calling is to serve 
the Lord and not put God to the test in serving himself.

Through entering the desert with Jesus we can learn a lot by his example. Letting solitude strip 
away our false selves, we can affirm again what is most important in life and what our purpose and 
meaning is in being.  We will move beyond the temptations to value ourselves by what we have, or what we can do or 
achieve, or what others say of us, and remember our ultimate purpose is to live in God and to love 
God in all things.

It is this journey through the desert of Lent, that brings us in to the bright rays of the 
resurrected Christ who is the true light of our lives. Let us pray for each other in this journey 
that we may all enter into the
fullness of God’s glory this Easter.