mamabishop: First Sunday in Lent

Saturday, March 8, 2025

First Sunday in Lent

First Sunday in Lent 2025

After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13

We humans understand temptation. Maybe not on the scale that Jesus faced, with a devil promising him every power and blessing of this world, but we know how we ache to be recognized and important. We want to win, and some will go to great lengths to win, even if it means destroying others. We live in a time when those in power believe they are always right and attempt to destroy folks in their way. But that is not God's way or the way of Jesus who we follow. We are invited to feel hungry rather than let another go hungry. We are invited to refuse authority rather than see others abused. And we are invited today to choose to worship our Creator rather than great wealth and power.

Wondrous Creator, you sent your son

to live among the most human ones

and be tempted by the devil incarnate.