A Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent
Lent is a time to cultivate holiness in ourselves. This seems challenging and that’s because it is. Doing the right thing is never easy. However right our intentions and good our desires may be, we will face temptations. It would serve us well to remember the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Our Lenten practices and sacrifices present us with an opportunity to grow closer to God.
Today’s Gospel shows Christ face temptation and overcome it. The devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and he turns them down. His kingdom is not of this world. Accordingly, we must care for the salvation of our souls, acknowledge that we will be tempted, confront our weaknesses and prepare ourselves for the Resurrection of our Lord.
One way we ought to do this is through imitation of Christ. When our Savior rejects the devil’s offer in today’s Gospel, he trusts in God and turns to Scripture. No matter how busy we are, it bears repeating: His kingdom is not of this world. Taking Jesus as our guide, this Lent, we should spend time in prayer and with the Word of God.
The Lord instituted the Sacraments, the instruments of his grace, for us. When we avail ourselves of them, God sanctifies us so that we can make the world holier. We need to realize that we are not alone in the battle against sin. Jesus Christ lived, died and rose again for us to have the upper hand.
