The temptation of Jesus

JESUS was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. 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 by bread alone,/ but by every word that comes forth/ from the mouth of God.”/ Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, 6and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:/ He will command his angels concerning you/ and with their hands they will support you,/ lest you dash your foot against a stone.”/ Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written:/ The Lord, your God, shall you worship/ and him alone shall you serve.”/ Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

REFLECTION LIFE IS LIKE A CUP OF COFFEE.

We are often more concerned with what makes us live than with what makes our life worth living. We are so taken up by work that we no longer know what is happening to our spouse and children. We do not have time to enjoy our family. We hold a cup of coffee but focus on the cup rather than savor the drink.

In the Gospel, Jesus shows us that life is not about satisfying our lust for power and material wealth or replacing God with “loaves of bread” or “the kingdoms of the world.” What matters is not what we acquire but whom we worship. Life is always about God.

In Lent, let us spend time with the Lord, speak with him, reflect on our priorities, and confront our craving for the passing pleasures of the world. Let us allow God’s mercy to wash away our sins.

Let us enjoy the coffee, not complain about the cup. The happiest people may not have the best, but they make the best of ev- erything. Let us live simply, love generously, forgive until it hurts, care deeply, speak kindly, and live uprightly.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST.