FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
1st Reading: (Deuteronomy 26:4-10)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 91:1-2.1 0-11.12-13.14-15 (R. cf. 15b)
2nd Reading: Romans 10:8-13
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 4:4b
Gospel Reading: Luke 4:1-13
Rev. Fen Okoha MSPThe scripture made it clear in the gospel reading that temptations does not arise from things that are not of need or naturally fiting to our human nature.
Temptation speaks to our human needs, but the response of Jesus uncovers the spiritual undertone of temptations in our lives.
Jesus was weak and hungry, then came the tempter. If Jesus had turned stone to bread and ate, it would have been at the expense of the word of God, for he says in John 4:34, my food is to do the will of God.
Each time we are faced with temptations, the devil is not just looking for how to bring us down or bring us to bring us to physical shame, rather he desires to take us away from God, to distort our spiritual relationship with God.
That is why when we fall into temptations we should never remain there, for that is separation from God, but call on Jesus to help us rise again and be reunited with God.
Mr Kuyoro Paul Oluwaseun
My reflection
From the first reading, we observed how the people of Israel confessed with their mouth for God's saving grace which he eventually bestowed on them and the second reading tells us how the people equally confessed with their lips what they believed in their heart which tells us the significant of the mark of cross signed on our forehead, lips and heart during the Gospel reading. As Christians, we are therefore expected to confess with our lips all that we want from God just as Jesus overcame the temptation by the words of his mouth.
When in trouble, who do we run to? Are we proud to say we are under the shade of the Almighty or otherwise.
We pray that God grant us the grace to always say, preach and pray for what is right at all times through Christ our Lord.
Bennett Chukwuma AmadiThe Gospel uses images to show how Jesus was challenged to remain faithful to his Father. Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert, near the Jordan , where he fasted for forty days and was tempted three times by the devil. These temptations were centred on on three areas we battle with daily, which include: pleasure, possession and power. Y
Pleasure: The devil knowing that Jesus would be terribly hungry from fasting for forty days, said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, command the stone to become bread" (Luke 4:3). Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone'" (Luke 4:4).
Possession: The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it shall be yours" (Luke 4:5-7). Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve'" (Luke 4:8).
Power: The devil said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, .... , lest you strike your foot against a stone'" (Luke 4:9-11). Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God'" (Luke 4:12).
Eghe OkonofuaMy greetings to all the women here, today you're celebrated. Let the grace of God not the world guide you to be the best woman you are created to be.
From today's gospel I deduce the following:
1. The devil is never tired of tempting you, in order to bring you away from God. So we shouldn't be tired of praying to God for help and finding new ways to draw closer to him
2. The devil is a liar but he actually has the ability to provide some form of wealth, however God alone has to power to do and undo.
3. Be best with the scriptures because the evil on is conversant with it. It is your depth of understanding of the scripture that will save you in moments of trial. You cannot squeeze lemon juice from an orange fruit.
4. The Bible alone is not your savior as a Christian, the holy Spirit inspires us as we walk with him praying and fasting and engaging in kind acts.
5. Be aware how you listen to prosperity gospel. Using the name of God to promise you wealth you didn't work for, is the devil's promise. And wise as the devil is, you may have worshipped him already before you even realize it.
6. Knowledge of the scripture is not a guarantee or litmus test of a person's belief in and closeness to God. It is just what it is - knowledge. Don't get carried away or bamboozled by ones vastness in the words of scripture.
Chinwe Ann UdechukwuMY REFLECTION
In the gospel, we are presented with the temptations of Jesus by the devil. Imagine! Just as Jesus begins his journey of saving humanity, devil boom!! came with his temptations, what could have been our fate if the devil was able to overcome him? Had Jesus not been able to scale through those temptations, what could have been our fate?
As we begin the lent also the devil will come in different ways, pleasures, easy life and short cuts to good things, how do we handle him? Jesus overpowered the devil and his temptations by *prayer, penance, and effective use of word of God*. Therefore we are called to see Jesus as our model and emulate his means to conquer temptations whichever way it came through. Let's remember too that we can never be tempted beyond our strength which God gave us because 1 Jn:4:4 says *"He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world"*
May God grant us the grace to follow his footsteps in overcoming temptations.
My reflection!!!
The Gospel made it clear to us that nobody is above temptation. And it informed us that we being tempted is not a sin rather it's a way of testing our trust in God. As Christ aspirants, we should always be expectant because temptation can come any time and in any form. Furthermore, we not giving into temptation is what makes us Victorious child of and we can only be Victorious by always living a prayerful life and also minding the company we keep and places we do visit.
