Lenten Moments of Mercy: First Sunday of Lent

First Sunday of Lent   Lent is a season when we are tested as we focus more intensely on who God is calling us to be.

Scripture Those who love me, I will deliver;             I will protect those who know my name. Psalm 91:14   Reflection Soon after the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where he fasts for 40 days. Note that this time of discipline and potential hardship was not the result of any fault on Jesus’ part. This is a period not unknown by any of the great Christian mystics—after a period of consolation, there is a period of a “dark night” or “desolation” in which the commitment made in a period of joy is tested. Weakened by hunger Jesus is tempted by the Devil. The Devil offers three possibilities for Jesus. The first is to fulfill the basic need of hunger, to turn stones into bread. The second is to become the ruler of the world as payment for worship of the Devil. The third is to wow the world by leaping from the highest point in the city and be caught by angels for an easy landing on the ground. Jesus responds to each of the Devil's temptations by citing Scripture: one does not live by bread alone (Deuteronomy 8:3), God is not to be put to the test (Deuteronomy 6:16), and only God is to be worshipped (Deuteronomy 6:13). The season of Lent is a period of testing for all Christians as we recognize that we are being called by the Holy Spirit to a deeper relationship with God and with others. This means that in following the disciplines recommended by the Church—the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—we learn to become more dependent on the grace of God and we keep ourselves focused on who he is calling us to be. Image: Limbourg brothers, The Temptation of Christ

Pope Francis “The devil exists even in the 21st century. And we must not be naive. We must learn from the Gospel how to battle against him.” Morning Meditation, 11 April 2014   Lenten Action ► Review the Lenten practices at the USCCB website. ► Reflect on this Sunday’s Gospel with Arts & Faith: Lent and the Sunday Connection.    Prayer O Lord, help us to be open to your grace to recognize the ways in which you rescue and honor us in times of trouble.

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