SELECTED REFLECTIONS OF MEMBERS ACROSS THE GROUPS.
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (A)
1st Reading:(Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Ps 51:3-4.5-6ab. 12-13.14 and 17 (R. cf. 3a)
2nd Reading: (Romans 5:12- 19)
Gospel Reading: (Matthew 4:1-11)
1st Reading:(Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Ps 51:3-4.5-6ab. 12-13.14 and 17 (R. cf. 3a)
2nd Reading: (Romans 5:12- 19)
Gospel Reading: (Matthew 4:1-11)
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| Jude Okoro |
Friend's in Christ the readings remind us of the reality of sin and its consequences, it equally reminds us that Sin is a part of our human experience, but it's not the end of the story, but also the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.
In the first reading from the book of Genesis we read about the fall of humanity through Adam's disobedience in the garden of Eden, where the serpent tempted Eve, and she and Adam ate the forbidden fruit, leading to sin and death entering into the world, and the beginning of our sufferings and challenges.
That is why we need to Cry out to God to have mercy on us just like the Psalmist in Psalm 51 cried out for mercy and forgiveness, acknowledging his sin and the sinfulness of his heart. Brethren, let us ask God to create a clean heart in us and to restore the joy of his salvation in our lives and in our families.
In the second reading from St Paul, we can understand just as sin came into the world through Adam, so too did righteousness come through Jesus Christ our Lord, Through faith in Jesus, we can receive the gift of righteousness and eternal life.
Thats why in the Gospel we see Jesus facing temptation in the wilderness. He is tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread, to throw himself off a mountain, and to worship Satan in exchange for power. But Jesus resisted each temptation, quoting the Scripture and affirming his trust in God his Father.
Friend's in Christ are we aware of the sin in our life and the need for redemption?
Are you trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation your Soul?
Friend's in Christ in these season of lent let us lean on God for strength to go through trials and tribulations and to do away with all that is not of God.
May God bless His words in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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| Okoronwko Ifeoma Vivian |
According to the gospel reading. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.
We as Christians when facing challenges, temptation or difficult times we should stand firm like Jesus did.
May God give us the grace to always stand firm at all times in Jesus name. Amen.
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
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| Ebonime Tochukwu Joachim MCD |
By one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience many will be made righteous.
Adam and Eve gave in to temptation due to their physical desire and greed ; once a little push came, they forgot of the Being who fashioned and positioned them in the garden and kept all at their disposal. Moreover, they were curious and Satan took advantage of their curiosity. (Curiosity they say kills the cat)
Jesus came to undo what was done by Adam. Filled by the Holy Spirit but also by bodily weakness from the 40 days fast and need for physical food, satan saw it as an opportunity. But the prince of Peace prevailed because the Spiritual led the physical.
Temptations come to us just as it came to Adam and Jesus. Satan looks for any slight opportunity we give to him and these opportunities come from our desires of the flesh. However, let's always be guided; never allow your carnal and physical desires overshadow your spiritual control. Even philosophers will opine that Man must not allow his passion to rule his mind ( Cf. La philosophie de Plato).
Hence, just as Jesus was filled with the Spirit, he overcame his bodily desires and material wants, may we also learn to be led and directed by the spirit to avoid being ruled by our carnal wants and desires. Amen!
Be guided, during this period of Lent, we might have decided to forfeit some things and take up some spiritual exercises in order to journey more intimately with Christ. This is what annoys Satan and triggers our carnality, temptations will be at it's peak this period that is why in her wisdom the church proposes the theme of temptation this 1st Sunday of Lent. May we be guided never to give in to temptation of any sort. Amen!!
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| Genevieve Nwaneri |
No one is above temptation; absolutely no one. It's a part of our journey as christians.If Jesus Christ who was without sin was tempted, who are we to say we are above temptation. This also reminds us that temptation doesn't come in our happy or joyful moments, it comes in our vulnerable moments; when we are tired, discouraged or uncertain.
Note that the devil presented Jesus with irresistible offers like bread to fill his appetite after being hungry from the fasting and the power and glory of the world to possess. But we should be aware that the Devil gives out with conditions;he is transactional. He collects what he gives in dangerous folds.
This Lenten season, we have different habits we would like to either give up or take up but there would always be temptation to compromise our fast. When these temptations comes, let God's word strengthen us.
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| Chika Nwaozuzu |
Have mercy on us oh Lord for we have sinned. Ps 51.
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Acknowledgement of our sin and asking for mercy and forgiveness is one attitude that puts us right with God. It's a show of humility. When we sin,we should not look for someone to blame rather, the blame should be on us and our desires.
Perhaps if our first parent Adam and Eve had taken the blame for their actions and had uttered the words of David in PS 51,"Have Mercy On Us oh Lord for we have sinned", maybe, just maybe our world wouldn't have been in this mess we are today.
In the gospel, Jesus demonstrated in the first temptation that all our carnal desires are meant to be stopped immediately. We should not give them any room in our hearts and minds because by doing so,we are giving them a fertile ground to germinate and bear fruits. Jesus stopped this temptation with a firm refusal b4 it could gain much space in his mind. And James 1:13--15 warns us that "we could only be tempted by our desires and if not checked, would lead us to sin. Therefore Jesus warns that,all illicit appetites must be met upfront. Never let evil gain a foothold in your life because what nourishes the stomach is too slight a meal to satisfy the hunger of the soul.
In the second temptation Jesus reminds us that "fame quickly spoils the lives of those for whom it becomes a driving hunger. Fame is attractive because it offers us a kind of power and this power makes people to recognise us and exalts us. In our world today both Christian and secular,70 - 90% of men/women falls under this temptation. Jesus reminded satan and in deed all people that all worships should be accorded to God and God alone and not to our own egos. The adoration of ego is a fragile and disappointing worship.
The final temptation (Power)is one that all humans on earth are prone to fall into. Power allows us the freedom to stay on top of life by forcing others to use their own lives to serve us. When one has power, one can order life because power postpones dying. With power, you can save your own life while sacrificing others. With power, you run the show and call the shots. To sweeten this deal,satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and asked Jesus to fall down and worship him and all would be his. In deed Jesus wanted all nations to belong to his father and also falls in adoration before God but Jesus also knows that,satan can never give him all the nations at once. Though salvation is for all nations but the gospel would never conquer the entire continent. It would only conquer single souls at a time for those who truly believe. Jesus teaches here that, the only cure for those who hunger after power is to leave the shadowy worship of their egos and find an altar for a true God because anything from satan is never real.
May the Lord bless his words in our lives through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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| Emmanuel Ufuoma Rumeh Sekegor |
✏️from the first reading, okpolor eye 👁 no be open eye meaning. If God tells us not to do something and we do it our eye will open. That thing we are looking for we will see 👀 it.
✏️ from the psalms.
When our eyes 👀 open and we realize our misdeeds we should ask God for mercy and grace to live upright.
✏️the second reading.
Because Christ don come we no dey under the law. And God pickin ( Christ) go help us overcome as the new Adam.
✏️the Gospel passage
Make us understand say no be only food go make us survive but every word of God that's as we dey chop food everyday make we dey chop the word of God too everyday. Shalom 🕊️🥰
