The readings today remind us of the reality of evil and its blinding presence in our lives. Yet as we confront the darkness of sin we find that our help comes from the light of Christ, who gives us the courage and strength we need.
We enter into the great season of Lent with classic readings about temptation, sin and God’s grace:
1st Reading – The temptation of Adam & Eve
Psalm – “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.”
2nd Reading – The sin of Adam is redeemed by Christ
Gospel – The devil tempts Jesus…and fails
First, let me be perfectly clear: Temptation is a part of the landscape of human life. From the time of our first parents at the dawn of creation, humanity has experienced temptation. We can wish all we want, but the fact remains that we are constantly facing great and small temptations throughout the course of our lives.
What’s more, we have all experienced times when temptation has led us to sin. Being tempted is one thing; falling into sin is another. For once sin is a part of our lives, our souls are wounded in a way that requires God’s grace to cleanse and heal.
This awareness of temptation and sin can easily lead us to a state of despair. We can fall into the trap that says “Well, you messed up. What’s the point now? You might as well just give up.” Admittedly, the devil would like nothing better than to let us think that there is no hope…that we are lost and without strength to find our way out of the messes of life.
Yet we start our Lent with hope. Yes, we acknowledge that temptation and sin are real, but we take comfort that this is why Jesus Christ came – to break the bondage of sin, restore our relationships with God and one another, and lead us into eternal life. The Lord knew about temptation first hand, yet not only did he triumph over Satan’s testing, but he freed us through his death and resurrection.
In our moments of temptation and sin may we run to the Cross of Christ! As we encounter our own trials may we trust that the Lord stands ready to offer us help and strength – both to face what comes before us this day, and to heal us in our moments of need.
The Letter of James gives crucial insight into the nature of temptation. As we encounter our own temptations, may we never tire of calling upon God for the grace we need to face them.
As Jesus speaks of the darkness found in the human heart, we are invited to face the sin that lurks within us…trusting in the Lord’s light to overcome it.
The Psalm Response cuts right to the heart of a deep and urgent need in our souls: to call upon the Lord for the forgiveness and mercy we need as we acknowledge our sins.
Paul’s Letter to the Romans outlines the problem of sin in our world and how God offers a solution through the death and resurrection of Christ. May we put our faith in the Lord today, and embrace this precious gift of eternal life!
The interaction between Jesus and the woman in the Gospel of Luke reveals the healing power of God’s love when we receive the Lord’s forgiveness for our sins.
The Lord offers a direct warning about the sin of greed in the Gospel today. While we are often quick to perceive greed in others, the reality is that this temptation touches us all in great and small ways. Fr. Andrew’s homily offers three antidotes to help us shake off the lure of this deadly sin.
The Lord reproaches the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because they did not repent when they witnessed the mighty acts of God. We, too, have been given much by God; will we turn to the Lord and live?