Commentary on the Gospel of
Read: In Genesis, we hear about the first sin as the man and woman are tempted by the serpent to disobey God’s command. Paul tells the Romans that this first sin brought death to humankind, death ultimately defeated by Jesus who brings forgiveness, grace, and salvation. In Matthew’s Gospel, the devil tempts Jesus three times, but Jesus remains obedient to his Father.
Reflect: Sinning is turning away from God. We can turn away from God in our thoughts and in our actions, by doing things we know are wrong or by failing to do the things we know are right.
In the desert, Jesus is tempted to satisfy his physical desires, to seek power, and to test God’s love. We face similar temptations. The culture encourages satisfying any desires we might have, without regard for God or others. Accumulating wealth, power, and influence is seen as a life goal. Doubting God’s love and even his existence is seen as a mark of sophistication.
In the midst of these temptations, Jesus gives us the strength and grace to follow the path of life and he offers forgiveness when we stumble.
Pray: God, please forgive me for the times I have turned away from you and help me purify my heart.
Act: Make a nightly examination of conscience part of your routine.
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"The Lord teaches us how to overcome temptations"
During the forty days of Lent, as Christians we are invited to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to face the spiritual battle against the evil one with the power of the Word of God: it has the strength to defeat Satan, which is why it is necessary to become familiar with the Bible, to read it often and to meditate on it. The Bible contains the Word of God, which is always current and effective.
Lent is for us a strong time of reflection, of conversion and a time in which Jesus invites us to walk this path in spirit, like Him, in order to reach the joy of Easter. Lent is a call to conversion, to a change of heart and a change of attitude. And Jesus is presented to us today as a model of living in our own reality and being tempted and overcoming temptations.
The Word is a gift and a task: if we want to change, we cannot do without it. Therefore, in this time of grace we have to intensify our reading, reflection and prayer, in this time of Lent to ask ourselves the meaning of our existence and to confront it with the truth of the Gospel. Let us ask ourselves: What is the meaning of my life? What is the real purpose of my life? What is the place of God and of others in my pilgrimage through this world?
Prayer :Lord, help us to be faithful and to feel you close to us in every moment of our lives.
"HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL".
