The healing encounter between Jesus and the blind man brings about the gift of sight, followed later by the gift of faith. We, too, in the darkness of our ignorance and sin, call upon the Lord to foster spiritual sight within our hearts to help us journey through this life to the next.
The Lord’s triumph over temptation heals the first sin of Adam and Eve, blazing a trail for us as we draw strength from Christ for perseverance and mercy.
Here are some of the powerful themes that surface in the 1st Sunday of Lent.
1st Reading – Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
God breathes life into the man who is formed from the clay.
In the garden in Eden, God plants many trees, including the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and she and Adam eat it.
Psalm – 51:3-6,12-13,17
“Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.”
Acknowledging our sins, we call upon the Lord for mercy and ask for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit.
2nd Reading – Romans 5:12-19
Through the transgression of one man (Adam) condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act (Jesus) acquittal and life came to all.
Through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one (Jesus), the many will be made righteous.
Gospel – Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert, where he fasts for forty days and nights and is then tempted by the devil.
The first temptation: command stones to become bread. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 8:3.
The second temptation: jump off the parapet of the temple. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 6:16.
The third temptation: worship Satan and receive the kingdoms of the world. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 6:13.
The serpent tempts Adam and Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Once they commit this Original Sin, their relationships begin to unravel with God.
Today’s psalm both acknowledges our struggles and affirms our faith in God’s grace. May we turn to the Lord in our times of trial and draw strength from the one who died that we might have eternal life.
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Continuing from the call of the Twelve and the explanation of their mission, Jesus now prepares his followers for the difficulties that are part of the path of discipleship.
As Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness, we understand that temptation is part of the landscape of human life. Through our recognition and response, we are able to face our temptations with God’s grace.
Solomon’s wives turn him toward the worship of other gods, so that his heart is no longer entirely for the Lord. May we be reminded how easy it is to let other things take the Lord’s place in our lives.
St. Paul addresses the ongoing challenge of temptation we all face with the hope we have in Christ. It’s a spiritual battle, but one that we face everyday with the grace and strength of God.
The Book of Judges recounts a pattern as the people follow the Lord, stray, and then return to the Lord through God’s intercession. Throughout this human weakness to sin, God remains faithful…always seeking to bring us back.
Three Great Things 