First Sunday of Lent 2025
“Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days.”
We begin this season of Lent with the reminder that Jesus stepped away from his daily life with a retreat to the desert. Even he who was without sin and remained devoted to constant prayer knew he needed time to draw closer to his heavenly father.
During this time of fasting and sacrifice, the devil tempted him with the comforts of the world, even going so far as to appeal to him with quotes from scripture! Who wouldn’t feel convinced by something that seemingly comes from the word of God!
Yet Jesus remained focused on the eternal reward, and his deep prayer life helped him to recognize the lies in the temptations. His total reliance on God the father was the source of his strength.
You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”
The devil will try to tempt us by separating us from God, and convincing us that we are reliant on our own strength. In Litany of Trust prayer, we ask for God to help us remember our childlike dependency on him. Left to our own power, the devil’s temptations seem too logical to resist! When we are constantly aware of God’s presence and his love for us, we can remember that our heavenly reward is worth more than any temporary temptation. We can only remain aware of this love and presence with regular devotion to prayer and the sacraments.
Jesus knew the trials he was going to face would feel impossible. He maintained hope for the ultimate joy of the resurrection. He wants nothing more than to spend eternity with us. Imagine the comfort it gave him to know that not only would his sacrifice reunite himself with his father, but that it would allow all of us to join him! We are his beloved! When we struggle with temptation, despair, sin, we can recall this reunion with our Lord.
Lord Jesus, help us to joyfully await the blessed hope.
