Reflection on First Sunday of Lent Year A: The first reading talks about Adam and Eve’s fall into temptation. The psalm is a prayer for mercy, for those who have fallen into temptation. The second reading talks about the triumph of Jesus over sin and death. He does not fall into temptation. The gospel reading demonstrates how Jesus successfully handles the temptations. Temptations are here to stay. As long as we desire a lot of things, we are prone to be tempted. And we have more chances of falling into sin. The “devil” triggers what is inside us (our inordinate desires and thoughts). The first reading demonstrates the innate desire of human beings to know and possess everything (pakialamero, gustong malaman ang lahat; sakim, gustong angkinin lahat, without limits). In the process, we lose our innocence and vitality. We expose our vulnerability. We discover that we are not that smart. We feel ashamed of ourselves. What we discover put us into trouble. The gospel reading demonstrates how Jesus Christ, who is disinterested in wealth, prestige and power and all those garbage, successfully fights against the seductions of the devil. His only desire is to do the will of God. He listens to the voice of God. The voice of God is to establish God’s reign by: Listening to God’s Word, not by satisfying appetites. Living simply and ordinarily, not by trying to impress. Being focused to the one true God, not to anything bizarre If we are not formed by the Word of God, we easily give in to any temptation. We have no qualms about committing injustices, crimes, blunders and sin. The voice of God (God’s Word) serves as a reminder for us not to give in to what is evil. The second reading reflects on the downfall (sin) of the first parents and ours (1st reading) and the victory of Christ Jesus over the devil (gospel). Sin leads us to death; Christ brings us back to life. Christ overcomes sin, because he never listens to the devil, nor to himself. Besides, he has no worldly desires. He too overcomes death. How do we handle the temptations To grab power? To steal other’s money? To be showy and ostentatious? To be unfaithful to our loved ones because somebody else is seducing us? To consume what is more than necessary? To buy what we don’t need? To squander our hard earned money? To use our influence to get what we want? How do we handle temptations when there is no choice? Jesus’ answer is never compromise with the devil (no to “kapit sa patalim”) We should not desire anything else but God. We take hold of our identity as children of God. We should decide die as children of God, in God’s loving hands, not to die in disrepute. The Eucharist is the reward for those who resist temptations. It is the sacrament that celebrates our victory over evil. The Eucharist strengthens us in our fight against temptations. Frequency to the Eucharist assures us of God’s continued support to our journey to holiness and fullness of life. †
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 10:25:37 +0000
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