A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

[24] Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 Romans 10:8-13 Luke 4:1-13

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

On the first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading each year is about Jesus' temptation in the desert. It is important to note what precedes this story, namely, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist. This reminds me that right after Jesus decides to start his ministry by becoming baptized, he is tempted by the devil. In my own life, it seems that whenever I try to do something I know will be fruitful, I have an urge to fail to follow through with it. For example, I have thought that I do not need to finish it since someone else will do it for me. This is similar to the analogy of going one step forward by two steps backward.

However, in order for this analogy to not occur, we can reflect on how Jesus was successful in resisting each of the temptations. In the first temptation, Satan commands Jesus to turn a stone into bread. Upon first looking at this, it appears to be a temptation for earthly desires. Although that is true, I also saw it as a temptation to settle down and stop the journey. When I have a meal with family or friends, I feel very comfortable and I do not want the meal to end because it is so enjoyable. I think Satan is asking Jesus to stop his mission and rest so that he may become stagnant his spiritual life. As we begin this Lenten season, we can fear trying new things that will help us grow closer to Christ since we do not feel confident or comfortable in the changes. However, let us remember how Jesus was able to pass up that desire in order to follow his Father’s will.

The second temptation Jesus experiences is one for the power of all the nations if he but only worships Satan. By remembering the first commandant of not worshiping any gods but the Lord, Jesus is able to resist the temptation. This temptation asks me - do I truly love God above all else, or do I have something in the way of my love for God?

The last temptation told in Luke’s gospel is proving to the people that Jesus is the Son of God by throwing himself down from the Temple. Jesus’ response to this is saying that one should not test God. By saying this, Jesus relies on people to believe in him not because of what he can do, but because of their love for him. Sure, if God could prove in a scientific way that he exists, it would probably be a great help to each of us, but it would be superficial since our love for him would be based on what powerful deeds he can perform. Therefore, a question for us is how can we show our love for God to others.