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First Sunday of Lent

February 13, 2005

Reflection prepared by Sister Barbara C. Schmitz, OSB 

Readings:

• Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7

• Romans 5:12-19

• Matthew 4:1-11

Reflection - “We Have a Choice”

We are usually not tempted by what is obviously bad.  Rather, temptations emerge out of goodness which we selfishly desire for ourselves. An example of how temptation emerges out of goodness follows; we all like to go to a party, and going to a party is good but when I spend all my time partying with friends and neglect my family this can lead to neglect.  Once we recognize the possibility to share properly and happily with others, temptations change for the greater good.

Do we ever think about how goodness provides the occasion for temptation?  The goodness around us, in other people, places, events, and the goodness within our talents and values can all be a temptation.  The extraordinary goodness of the garden of paradise, heightened by the exceptional personal gifts of  Adam and Eve, erupted into selfish claims and therefore into temptation and sin.  In the first reading, for the first Sunday of Lent, we are presented with the scene of  Adam and Eve, facing a choice for good or evil:  The story goes on to tell us they choose to give into the temptation to “be like God” in the words of the tempter.

In the Gospel we see another scenario.  Jesus was tempted while fasting and praying in the desert. Here He was led by the Spirit and here He realized the incomparable gifts which He possessed because of being the Son of God with a mission. Jesus faced the  choice to accomplish His ministry in selfish, power-hungry ways or reject the enticement of the devil and affirms his identity as God’s Son. Jesus waited and concentrated upon his public ministry. Jesus waited, for only by a slow process of thought, prayer, and perseverance can salvation be achieved according to God’s plan.  God’s plan must be shared by everyone. The whole human race felt the pain when Adam and Eve sinned.

We are all one family in the new Adam, Jesus Christ, all of us receive the benefits of His goodness.  Both sin and holiness are received from our parents, Adam, Eve and Jesus. Therefore, in our Christian life we experience the struggle between death and resurrection. This struggle invites us to go to that quiet place, the “spiritual desert” of our lives.

As we begin Lent it is fitting that the temptation scene in the Gospel is set in the desert. 

We know from the Bible, the desert can be a place of challenging, our personal and communal choices.  Lent is a “spiritual desert” where we hope to experience again our acceptance of Christ, leading to a rekindling of Baptism at Easter.  During this Lent let us ponder the example of Jesus when He faced the devil’s temptations in the desert.

Questions for Reflection:

• What helps me made a choice for life in face of temptation?

• When do I find I am most tempted?

• What are occasions of temptation for me? 

Suggested Activities:

• Dialogue with Jesus when you are tempted.  Write your dialogue in a journal.

• Spend time in the quiet of your own desert and ponder what is in your heart.

• Draw Jesus with you in time of temptation.

Prayer:

During these days of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Teach us to always choose that which gives life in the face of temptation.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen

Our Father