Tag: Eve

First Sunday of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert for the purpose of being tempted by the devil. Twice, Satan tempts Jesus beginning with the words “If you are the Son of God.” In Jesus’ many encounters with the evil spirits that he rebuked, the spirits recognize Jesus immediately by saying “I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” Satan knows well that Jesus is the Son of God; it is the Father of Lies who tries to weaken Jesus by questioning his divine identity. In the same way, the first reading from Genesis shows how Satan questioned Eve, weakening her reliance God’s word: “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?”

God, help me understand how to face temptations as Jesus did. He gives us the exact way to respond when tempted: not through argument buy by invoking your holy name. “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” And “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Jesus says to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” For every lie Satan presents to Jesus, he refutes it with truth, the word that comes forth from your mouth. By saying “Get away, Satan!” Jesus declares his divine authority as your Son. Just as you spoke light into existence, Jesus speaks and Satan leaves him.

When tempted, Lord, let me look to what follows as Jesus conquers temptation. “Then the devil left him,” Matthew says, “and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.” When I am tempted, Lord, and desire what I want when I want it, let your Spirit within me speak your name, my Lord and my God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY

Readings

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus had just performed the Miracle of the Loaves, feeding a large crowd, when the Pharisees approach him. It’s not difficult to imagine Jesus getting out of the boat to talk with the Pharisees. It would also be understandable to see Jesus displaying frustration at the Pharisees, especially after performing the miracle with the loves and the fishes. Instead, Mark tells us, Jesus sighs and gets into the boat again to go to the other shore. The boat would seem to symbolize the Church here, where Jesus travels in it elsewhere to preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We know from other Gospel passages that when Jesus wanted to pass through Samaria he was not welcomed and went by another way.

Help me understand, God, that there comes a certain restlessness of spirit from asking for signs from heaven that no number of signs will satisfy. Just as Jesus sighed from the depth of his spirit, do you sigh at me when I ask for something you have provided already but I fail to recognize? I don’t need to think long to realize that in whatever place I pass through that seems dry and deserted, you are there to sustain, as Jesus did with the loaves and the fishes. However grand my human aims and aspirations might be, you far surpass them in ways I sometimes fail to see; for that, Lord, how can I not give you thanks and praise? Help me know you are near.

God, thank you for hearing me! Be present with me today, not as a way to test you but because I know I need your grace to sustain me. Keep me in your care!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2W-KSOPWWBY

Readings