Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

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

Reflection:

“One cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”. – Luke 4:1-13

Our gospel from Luke 4:1-13 is very vital since this is the gospel for the first Sunday of Lent. We are again here to commemorate Lent, to prepare ourselves for the coming of Easter. This is the time when we have penitential preparation.

In our Gospel from Luke 4:1-13 , Jesus face the temptation of the devil when here, He fast for 4o days. It is clear that the devil is there to try to temp Jesus if He will give up His purpose.

To try to connect it within ourselves, we can examine our deeper self if we try to avoid temptation like Jesus did? It is to know yourself and how strong you are against temptations of the world.

In this season of Lent, we try to dig deeper into our inner self, our souls. We must examine if we are ready to receive Him as He is our savior. We must prepare our souls for our Jesus as He prepares Himself for us.

Jesus knows me better than I know myself and that is for sure. His love for us is beyond comparison. Yet, He wanted us to feel that we need Him. That is why we must not hesitate to ask for His gift and guidance when we are at our worst.

As I am reflecting this gospel now, I am saddened by the current situation of the people around me and worldwide. I can’t understand why people are cruel to one another when God Himself put His life for our sake.

The world now is in total chaos, children and mothers are most affected. The wars that broke from one country to another is so unreasonable. Why do people mistreat others when they are weak? Why don’t they express their love for one another as we are all the same children of God?

Then I realize, ah, people are weak and they let temptation in. The leaders want more power, they are now blinded. The devil made his way through these people. Yet, nothing can overpower God so I believe that there will come a day when the hearts of our leaders is open. Let the power of God do the miracle and let us live with the strongest faith we have in Him. – Clea | Helpline PH