DAILY- HOMILY

14 February 2016

1st SUNDAY OF LENT 

Cycle C.      Violet.       

Dt 26: 4–10 / Rom 10: 8 – 13 / Lk 4: 1 –13.     

Gospel Reading: Lk 4:1 - 13

Jesus was now full of the Holy Spirit.  As he returned from the Jordan, the Spirit led him into the desert where he was tempted by the devil for forty days.  He did not eat anything during that time, and in the end he was hungry.  The devil then said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into bread."  But Jesus answered, "Scripture says: People cannot live on bread alone."

Then the devil took him up to a high place and showed him in a flash all the nations of the world.  And he said to Jesus, "I can give you power over all the nations and their wealth will be yours, for power and wealth have been delivered to me and I give them to whom I wish. All this will be yours provided you worship me."  But Jesus replied, "Scripture says:  You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone."

Then the devil took him up to Jerusalem and set him on the highest wall of the Temple; and he said, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written:  God will order his angels to take care of you and again:  They will hold you in their hands, lest you hurt your foot on the stones." But Jesus replied, "It is written:  You shall not challenge the Lord your God."

When the devil had exhausted every way of tempting Jesus he left him, to return another time.

Reflection

At the first Sunday of Lent each year, the Gospel reading is about the temptations of Jesus in the desert before he begins his public ministry.  After his baptism Jesus spends forty days praying and fasting in the desert. 

That he was subject to temptations by the devil is further proof that he was truly human like us.  The three temptations also help clarify for him and for us his mission and role as Savior of the world from sin. 

In the temptations Jesus repulses the misconception that the Messiah was a special miracle-worker turning stone into bread or flying unharmed in the air.  Jesus also rejects the idea that the Messiah would be one to dominate the world.

In Jesus' replies to the temptations of the devil, Jesus affirmed his mission and devotion to the Father's will:  "You shall not challenge the Lord your God."  "You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone."

"When the devil had exhausted every way of tempting Jesus he left him, to return another time."  The battle and encounter with the devil were not over at these temptations in the desert; Jesus would be tempted to give up his mission at his agony in the garden, "Father, if it is your will, remove this cup from me; still not my will but yours be done." (Lk 22: 42)

For us too, the battle against temptations and evil never stops.  Temptations remain real with sexual matters, lies, backbiting and forms of injustice against others. There will always be temptations related to more wealth, higher status and power.  There will be temptations to be greedy and angry, jealous and resentful of others. There will always be temptations to have rather than to share, to control and rule rather than to serve and give.

Lent is a grace-filled occasion to be more aware of our sinful inclinations and to be more jealous for true repentance and conversion.  Let us not be discouraged by the presence of temptations; let us beg the Lord's help and grace.  

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Celia M. Mardri

     Rogelio Vicencio

     Barbara Ann L. Young

     Allan Ramos

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Tony & Jennifer Gotamco Tan

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Salud Nuqui Inocentes (Feb 14, 1911 – Oct 23, 1978)

     Eduardo Yu Chui Khue (May 27, 1923 – Feb 14, 2009)

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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