First Sunday of Lent Lk 4:1-13
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, one does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”
Salesian Quote
“True devotion consists in a constant, resolute, prompt, and active will to do whatever we know is pleasing to God.”
- Introduction to the Devout Life IV.13
Reflection
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we see Jesus being offered some incredible things of this world. However, he doesn’t have to think about them. He doesn’t need to make a pro/con list or run a cost/benefit analysis. He simply hears what is offered and rejects it. He knows what he is about and to whom he belongs.
Today, as we move about a world filled with temptations for pleasure, power, and wealth, may we always seek to imitate Christ in the way we make our daily decisions, both the great ones and the small ones. Let us pray that we may grow in devotion, always resolute and prompt in doing good. And may we, like our Lord, constantly remember what we are about and to whom we belong.
Craig Irwin, OSFS
Transitional Deacon at Saint John Neumann, Reston, VA
Being Ordained in June
