First Sunday in Lent - A – March 9, 2014

The Temptation

The Temptation in the desert sums up the theme of Lent: forty days of denial to test the resolve of our faith. Lent can be a time of new beginnings; it can also be a time that rudely reminds us of our shortcomings. But, it is a time for possibilities and growth.

BLOG LINK How are we to act in an uncertain world?

MP3 PODCAST. The secret to temptation is distraction. With our modern conveniences, distraction grow more numerous and attractive each day. How can we face these detours and remain faithful to the Lord?

FIRST READING Once in a while, we fail, just like Adam and Eve did. The First Reading is story of the Fall recorded in Genesis. The sin of Adam and Eve has been interpreted in many ways, but its theme always returns to one insight. Sin is the attempt by humans to replace God with their own self-image. Sin is playing God. The consequences of this play is always evil, and there doesn’t seem to be a way out.

PSALM What happens when we fall into sin? We ask God for mercy. This is the core message of Psalm 51.

SECOND READING In the Second Reading, St. Paul recognized that fact; if we try to improve our plight, we just seem to slip further and further into the morass of immorality. But, with God, there is a way out. That way is Jesus Christ.

GOSPEL The Gospel from Matthew gives us hope. Satan’s attempts to shift the priorities of Jesus away from the will of the Father fail, simply because Jesus refused to play God. Instead, he clung to the mission of serving God. He inspires us to do the same.

CHILDREN'S READINGS The Children’s Readings speak to the consequences of selfishness; Janice broke a statue and a friendship over her selfish desire; Brad sought true friends who would care for him, and not for what he could do for them.

CATECHISM LINK In the Catechism Link, temptation is discussed in the light of Original Sin.

FAMILY ACTIVITY Tackle temptation head on with a worship basket titled “The Best We Give to God.”