Deuteronomy 26.4-10 | Romans 10.8-13 | Luke 4.1-13

We begin the first week of Lent, this liturgical time of penance and conversion, in view of the solemnity of Jesus' resurrection, Easter.

Today the evangelist Luke tells us about the temptations of Jesus by the devil in the desert.

After being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, went into the desert and was guided by the Spirit.

In this liturgical time that begins, with Jesus, let us enter the Lenten desert, allowing ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

In that desert, for forty days, Jesus was tempted by the devil. And He overcame the diabolical temptations with the Scripture.

In this Lenten desert, the devil will also tempt us, because he does not want us to convert, to be saved, to return to God. Let us put on the armor of Scripture so that we will not lead into temptation and be deliver from evil.

The devil tempted Jesus, who had fasted for forty days, by proposing a miraculous solution to the problem of hunger. Quoting Scriptures, Jesus told him that one did not live on bread alone.

In this Lenten desert, with Jesus and the Spirit, let us fast, living more on the bread of Scripture than on material bread. Let us overcome gluttony and superfluity.

The devil tempted Jesus, proposing that He prostrate Himself in adoration in order to receive power and glory. Quoting Scripture, Jesus told him that only the Lord God should be worshipped and served.

In this Lenten desert, with Jesus and the Spirit, let us reject the devil's favors, trusting in the promises of God, the only one we worship and serve. Let us overcome excessive ambition and privileges.

Finally, the devil tempted Jesus, proposing that He expose His life to danger, so that God would protect Him. Quoting Scripture, Jesus told Him that one should not put the Lord God to the test.

In this Lenten desert, with Jesus and the Spirit, let us live responsibly, as adults, taking care of one another. Let us overcome recklessness and complacency.

The evangelist concludes by saying that, when the temptation was finished, the devil departed from Jesus for a time.

We must be alert. We cannot be distracted. The devil will tempt us all the time. He knows our weak points, and that is precisely where he will attack us. We will only win with Jesus, with the Spirit, and with Scripture.

Today the book of Deuteronomy tells us about worshiping God for having brought the people out of slavery in Egypt and for having led them through the desert to a land flowing with milk and honey. Moses said that, in gratitude, people should take the first fruits of the land in a basket and deliver it to God through the hands of the priests.

Only the Lord is the God of our lives who, through the death and resurrection of Christ, freed us from the slavery of sin and led us to new life. To Him we give our adoration and gratitude today and always. Let us live with dignity, being generous.

Today, the apostle Paul speaks to us in his letter to the Romans about the word of faith that the apostles preached, which was in the mouths and hearts of Christians. By believing in their hearts, they would be justify, and by confessing their faith with their mouths, they would be safe.

Let us call on the Name of the Lord with confidence to be saved, for He is generous to all who call upon Him. Let us draw near to the word of faith and proclaim it to all with our lips and deeds.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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