Temptations in the desert

March 5, 2017 1st Sunday of Lent First Reading: Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Second Reading: Rom 5:12-19 Gospel
Reading: Mt 4:1-11

At that time, the Spirit led Jesus into the desert that he be put to the test by the devil. After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. Then the devil 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 about 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 to the test the Lord your God.”

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 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.

D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the
Assimilated Life Experience)

An ancient theory explains why an African lion and a wild cat look so much alike though very different. “The same lioness gives birth to numerous cubs some of which are truly lions at heart and some of which are not. How does the mother lion know which is which? Months after the birth of the cubs, just before they are weaned, the mother lion leaves the den and then, in an unsuspecting moment, she jumps into the den with a thundering roar as if she was an enemy attacking the cubs. Some of the cubs stand up and fight back the presumed enemy while others flee the den with their tails between their legs. The cubs that hold their ground to face the danger prove themselves to be real lions. Those that run away prove to be mere wild cats, false lions.” (Fr Munachi E. Ezeogu, CSSP).

False and authentic followers of Christ mingle in God’s kingdom on earth. Only by adequate trial they are distinguished from one another. Abraham’s test requiring him to kill his own son even appeared cruel. Job’s case was a classic example of the intensity of the test a believer can be subjected to. The trial of Jesus was unfair by human standards because as a Son of God he deserved respect even from the devil.
We too can be brutally tested. When our turn comes, let’s face it like ferocious lions. Welcome to the Season of Lent! –(Atty.) Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., D.M.
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