February 17, 2013

1st Sunday of Lent

First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:4-10

   Moses spoke to the people, saying: "The priest shall then receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God. Then you shall declare before the LORD, your God, 'My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong and numerous. When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil and our oppression. He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.' And having set them before the LORD, your God, you shall bow down in his presence."

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Second Reading: Romans 10:8-13

   Brothers and sisters, what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" that is, the word of faith that we preach, for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. For the scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Gospel Reading: Luke 4:1-13

  Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me." Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'" Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and: 'With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him in reply, "It also says, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'" When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus

   Jesus had just received Baptism and he was getting ready for his public ministry. As he was entering into his public ministry he started it with forty days of retreat. He was tempted by the devil. He was wrestling within himself about his future ministry and the attitudes to with which he should go about his ministry.
   The devil wanted him to trust in his own self and his talents (you can change the stone into bread) but Jesus answered saying that he would go about his ministry with the word of God only. The devil wanted him to start his own kingdom in the world with his own power and glory but Jesus replied him saying that he would worship the Lord God only. When the devil tempted him with activities in the Temple precincts, Jesus response was one of not tempting God. Jesus entered his public ministry with the word of God and worship of God only.