Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC
As I stood before the congregation on this first Sunday of Lent, I felt a profound sense of gratitude and responsibility. Lent is a familiar journey for many of us—a time we walk year after year, preparing our hearts for the ultimate celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Yet, despite how often we’ve marked this season, the power of these moments and the lessons of Jesus’ fasting and temptations never lose their relevance.
I started by reminding myself, as I do every year, that even Jesus, our Savior, faced temptation. This reminder serves as a great comfort and a critical lesson. It tells us that being tempted isn’t a sin; it’s part of our shared human experience. We are all tempted. The real test is how we respond to that temptation. Do we give in, or do we gather strength from our faith to resist?
Jesus’ Journey in the Wilderness
We delved into the Gospel of Matthew, revisiting the story of Jesus’ 40 days and nights in the wilderness. He fasted until he was famished—truly, physically exhausted. It was then, at His most vulnerable, that the devil came to tempt Him. The first temptation was simple yet profound: the lure of physical satisfaction. “If you are the Son of God,” the devil taunted, “command these stones to become loaves of bread.” I reflected on how tempting it must have been to end the hunger and satisfy the needs of the flesh.
But Jesus’ response was powerful. “One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” It’s a reminder to all of us that while our bodies have needs, our spirits do too. We can’t let our physical desires overpower our spiritual calling. We must learn to trust in God’s provision and timing.
The Temptation of Pride
Next, the devil tried another tactic: he took Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple and challenged Him to throw Himself down, for surely, God’s angels would save Him. Here, scripture itself was twisted to test Jesus’ faith. This struck me deeply. Even the Holy Word can be manipulated if not approached with the right heart and spirit. Jesus responded, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” It’s a lesson for us to stay humble and faithful. We cannot use our faith as a means to challenge God or prove ourselves to the world.
I reminded the congregation, and myself, that scripture should always lead us to love, kindness, and humility. If we find ourselves using faith or scripture to judge or hurt others, we need to reassess our understanding. True faith leads us closer to Christ’s virtues, not away from them.
The Temptation of Power
The final temptation was perhaps the most alluring: the devil offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if only He would bow down and worship him. This was a direct appeal to human ambition and the desire for authority. But here’s the truth—none of it belonged to the devil in the first place. All power, all authority, already belongs to God. Jesus, once again, resisted and sent the devil away. He knew that real authority is found in service and obedience to God.
As I preached this, I considered how often we, too, are tempted by the allure of control and influence. We want recognition, power, or material success. But Lent calls us to remember that our true purpose is found in humble service and devotion to God. We are reminded to align our will with His, not the fleeting promises of the world.
Why We Fast and Resist
Lent, I explained, is like spiritual training. We fast not to punish ourselves or to seek validation from others but to strengthen our spiritual muscles. Just as an athlete practices before a race, we practice facing temptation so that we can grow stronger. Fasting puts us face-to-face with our desires and teaches us to lean on God. It’s about building our inner strength and focusing on what truly matters.
Pope Francis’ reflections on fasting offered a fresh perspective: it’s not just about giving up physical comforts. We’re called to fast from negative emotions and habits. We should give up anger and choose patience, abandon hurtful words and speak with kindness, and replace pessimism with hope. These are the deeper sacrifices that transform us to be more Christlike.
A Call to Reflection and Action
As I concluded, I asked the congregation to consider their own temptations and how they could use this Lenten season to grow closer to Christ. This time is both a challenge and a gift. We live in a world full of distractions and desires that can pull us away from God, but Lent offers a sacred pause. It’s a time to reset, reflect, and recommit ourselves to a life of faith and purpose.
In this familiar yet ever-meaningful journey of Lent, I pray that we all find the strength to resist temptation and embrace the love, humility, and service exemplified by Christ. May this season lead us to a joyful, renewed spirit, ready to celebrate the triumph of Easter.
