1st Sunday of Lent March 9, 2025

Readings:  Deut. 26, 4-10; Rom 10, 8-13; Lk 4, 1-13

On Ash Wednesday we began our journey with Christ. As a journey that will last for about six and half weeks, the Lenten season presents to us the opportunity of re-living the Paschal mystery of Christ. It exposes us to other dimensions of life, and thus, equips us for the glory of Easter.

In this season of lent, we are to be mindful of the fact that temptations abound, just as our Lord was tempted today by the devil in our gospel. It is important to note that the tempter is always looking for a point of contact or weakness. This was why, once he realized that Christ was very hungry he felt it was an opportunity to use Him. However, the good news is that the devil was wrong, because Christ did not give him the chance to use Him. Hence, the devil cannot succeed with us too if we do not open avenues for him in our lives.

We must not give the devil any chance this season and in our entire life time. Therefore, let us close all the avenues in the course of this journey by wearing the sign: “Road Closed or No Vacancy Here!”  The avenues that must be closely guarded this season as the temptation of Christ teaches us include: The avenues of hunger and thirst for sin, the avenue of cheap popularity, vain glory, pride, and selfishness. These are obstacles to our spiritual growth, victory, and of course, to our salvation. Our weapons this season must include a very strong faith in God, prayer, uprightness, good works, and the word of God. Above all, we must allow the Holy Spirit to be in charge by being docile to Him.

Finally, trusting in the arm of our own flesh will not help us this season. This is because, it might fail us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, this season, God is absolutely ready to do for us what He did for our fathers in faith in ancient times. So, together with the psalmist today, let us unceasingly implore the Lord saying: “Be with me, O Lord in my distress.”

                                                                             Fr. Terry