March 05, 2017

Gospel: Mt 4:1-11
Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert, that he might be put to the test by the devil. After Jesus fasted forty days and nights he was famished.
Then the tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, order these stones to turn into bread.“ But Jesus answered, “Scripture says: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.“
Then the devil took Jesus to the Holy City, set him on the highest wall of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for scripture says: God has given orders to his angels concerning you. Their hands will hold you up, lest you hurt your foot against a stone.“ Jesus answered, “But scripture also says: You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.“
Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain, and showed him all the nations of the world in all their greatness and splendor. And he said, “All this I will give you, if you kneel down and worship me.“ Then Jesus answered, “Be off, Satan! Scripture says: Worship the Lord your God and serve him alone!“
Then the devil left him; and angels came to serve him.

REFLECTION:
Read: The first reading narrates the Fall of Man: How humanity sinned. The Gospel narrative informs us how Jesus overcame the temptations and rewrote human history. Paul captures the theological implications of both narratives: how through one man’s sin and death entered the world, and through another, salvation and life.
Reflect: The temptations of Jesus parallel those of Adam and Eve. For, Eve saw that the fruit was good to eat [bodily realm], and pleasant to the eyes [psychological realm], and ideal for gaining knowledge [spiritual realm], and she succumbed to the temptation. Jesus faces the same situation— bread [bodily realm], miracle [psychological], and false worship [spiritual]—and he overcomes them. What are your temptations at these levels and how do you respond?
Pray: Pray the Lord’s Prayer, with special attention to the verse on temptations.
Act: Receive the sacrament of reconciliation this week.