FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT: FACING YOUR TEMPTATIONS

READINGS AT MASS

Gen. 9:8-15

Psalm 25

1 Pt. 3:18-22

Mk 1:12-15

Theme: FACING YOUR TEMPTATIONS

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...,

Today is the first Sunday of Lent, and as usual we read about and meditate on the temptation of Jesus. The temptation of Jesus is an interesting event that throws light on the tactics of the devil and our own struggle against sin. This event in the life of Jesus is reported in all the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

This year, we read Mark's account of this event. It is the shortest account, lacking some details, compared to the others, nevertheless deep in insight. Mark has a character of being brief and blunt. Mark only tells us that Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit after His baptism and that for 40 days He was tempted by Satan and Angels ministered to Him.

From this simple account we learn a lot. The first thing we learn here is that no one is immune to temptation. Your baptism, your faith, you being under the direction of the Spirit does not mean that temptation will not come your way. In fact, all, especially good Christians, must be more on guard against temptation. 

Secondly, in our fight against sin, all must move to the desert, where we are left alone to confront the evil within. The first battle against evil is the fight against  “the self” when you are alone. This you must do before any other.

Furthermore, temptations are from Satan. No matter how good and praiseworthy it might appears, do not pretend that they are from God. 

Finally, the truth about life (the life of a Christian) is typical to leaving among wild beasts. But in all these, it is God who takes charge of His own. He sends His angels to minister to us in the midst of the beasts.

During this season of Lent, a season where we confront our temptations in our fight against sin, let us lift our souls to God, He who does the fighting, that He might show us His way. 

PRAYER

Lord, I have fallen so many times to the temptations in my life. Help me to be conscious of the devil and his tricks and give me the grace to overcome temptations. Amen!

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, February 21, 2021.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe