Lent Wk 1st: Sunday 1st March, 2020 March 1, 2020
Reflection on the WORD
Faith – Tested: In today’s Gospel, Jesus was tempted and tested by the devil to give up His fasting. The devil also deceptively offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” if only Jesus were to pay him homage. Be strong in our faith at all times. God will never fail to strengthen us, from the evil ways of the devil.
Matthew 4:1-3a, 7-11
Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was hungry, and the tester came and Jesus said to him, Scripture also says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all these, if you fall at my feet and do me homage.’
Then Jesus replied, ‘Away with you, Satan! For scripture says: The Lord your God is the one to whom you must do homage, him alone you must serve.’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels appeared and looked after him.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- In our world today, it is not fashionable to talk about “Satan”. However, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells us that Satan is far from being a fantasy.
- Satan is real. He exists and is constantly out to tempt us. He is a master of disguises who tempts by promising us wealth, power, pleasures and the like. How true is this of your experiences?
- Jesus tells us that we can overcome the deception of Satan through deep prayer, silence, fasting and the like. Fight temptations with God’s graces and spiritual practices of deepening your union with God the Father daily.