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, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”  In this temptation Jesus is tempted to define himself by what others think 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.