First Sunday Lent - Temptation of Christ - Gospel of Matthew

First Sunday of Lent Temptation of Christ

March 13, 2011
March 9, 2014
March 5, 2017
March 1, 2020 
February 26, 2023

“The Lord allowed the devil to tempt him so that we would have his example as well as the power of his help when we face temptation.” Saint Leo the Great

Why do we spend forty days in our own spiritual desert every year during Lent? Why forty? In the Old Testament Noah stays in the ark forty days; the Israelites wander in the desert forty years eating manna; and Moses resides on Mount Sinai forty days conversing with God.

What is so important about this number? The normal length of gestation of a baby in the womb is forty weeks. Before Jesus began his earthly ministry he was led by the Holy Spirit “forty days in the wilderness,” where he fasted and was tempted by the devil. Forty days, weeks, years, a long time for some, but is it enough? Maybe that is why we are brought back to the desert every year for forty days – as a reminder.

In today’s gospel, Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus is asked by the devil to misuse the power he has been given by his Father. He is tempted three times, encouraged to think of himself and his own comfort at the expense of others. Satan’s reasons even sound reasonable or logical. After all Jesus IS God, he can do anything.

In the first temptation the devil demands Jesus perform a self-serving miracle. Jesus is fasting, he must be hungry, there is no food, Jesus is God and capable of turning the desert stones into bread. Not submitting, Jesus draws strength to continue his fast by reciting the Word of God, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

In the second temptation the devil suggests that Jesus prove he is God by amazing the world with a dazzling exhibition; jump from the top of the temple and survive. If you need help, don't worry the Angels will catch you. Again Jesus calls on the Word of God, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”

In the third temptation Satan took Jesus to a high mountain, showing him all the kingdoms of the world he suggests Jesus sell himself out. "All these I shall give you, if your will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this Jesus responds, "Get away, Satan!  It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”

During Lent we are reminded that we are sinners, in need of repentance. Though try as we might we cannot rid ourselves of temptation or sin on our own. This is only accomplished by the grace of God, who is always there to pick up the pieces when we meet difficulties, always willing to forgive, always ready with a second chance. 

This Lent put your trust in God and do as Jesus did when warding off temptation keep the Word of God always on your mind, on your lips and forever in your heart. 


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Art
Temptation of Christ - Botticelli
Temptation of Christ - Rubens
Temptation of Christ - Botticelli

Lent 2011 - A Lenten Song and Blessing

Lent 2011

“God doesn’t want your ‘chocolate’, He wants you.” Amy

“What has this world been whispering to you

to make you run from healing?

Come to me do not be afraid.

Let me hold you in the shelter

of My Sacred Heart.

Let me tell you once again,

I love you my child.

For these forty days and forty nights,

will you walk the path of sacrifice?”

Lenten Song from Be With Us Today by Michael John Poirier

For devotional items for Lent please visit
Lynn’s Timeless Treasures

Lenten Blessings to All!
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Art
Christ Carrying the Cross – El Greco

Ash Wednesday - March 9, 2011

Ash Wednesday

March 9, 2011

"Remember, man, you are dust,
and unto dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19)

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent with today’s Gospel from Matthew chapter six, establishing the structure of our forty day retreat: pray, fast and give alms, not with an outward show, but with a quiet, humble and converted heart. We will travel this journey in imitation of Our Lord’s forty-day fast in the desert.

Our liturgy opened with a prayer of protection, “Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil. As we begin the discipline of Lent, make this day holy by our self-denial.” Then ashes burned from the previous year’s blessed palms were placed on our forehead as a reminder that there is one thing that none of us will be able to escape on this earth, and that is death. The Good News is, there is life after death. “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Lent is a time to reevaluate our lives. Sometimes I think forty days isn’t enough time to regroup, to get back on track, and make a good conversion of heart. Have I let self-love, pride, worry, envy or materialism erode my relationship with God?

Lord use these forty days to make right our relationship with you,
put us on your right and narrow track,

and head us in your right direction.

We are made for you dear Lord,

we are made for heaven,

this is our goal.
Help us to get there.

Pope Benedict XVI said it more articulately in his message for Lent 2011. “In synthesis, the Lenten journey, in which we are invited to contemplate the Mystery of the Cross, is meant to reproduce within us “the pattern of his death” (Ph 3: 10), so as to effect a deep conversion in our lives; that we may be transformed by the action of the Holy Spirit, like St. Paul on the road to Damascus; that we may firmly orient our existence according to the will of God; that we may be freed of our egoism, overcoming the instinct to dominate others and opening us to the love of Christ. The Lenten period is a favorable time to recognize our weakness and to accept, through a sincere inventory of our life, the renewing Grace of the Sacrament of Penance, and walk resolutely towards Christ.”

"Our Hearts are Restless Until They Rest in You Oh Lord." St Augustine 

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Saint John Of God - March 8

Saint John Of God

March 8

Patron of Book Sellers, Hospitals,
and those with Heart Disease

"Love Covers a Multitude of Sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

Saint John of God was born in Portugal in 1495. He was a shepherd, soldier, laborer, and a bookseller. After hearing a sermon given by John of Avila on sin and repentance he made a complete conversion from his former ways which shocked his friends so much that they had him committed to a hospital for the insane. Upon his release he rented a home and brought the homeless, troubled and sick there to live with him, taking care of each one by himself.

Saint John of God died in 1550 but he had sowed the seeds for the Order of Hospitallers, which was approved by St. Pius V in 1572. This order and Saint John of God's spirit of hospitality continues to this day providing assistance to the sick, poor and needy in fifty-one countries.


 Saint John of God, help us to act out of love as soon as we feel the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Help us learn to fight the little voices in our heads and hearts that give us all sorts of practical reasons to wait or delay in our service of God. Amen

For items related to Saint John Of God please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures