1ST SUNDAY HOMILY FOR LENT – YEAR B
1ST SUNDAY HOMILY FOR LENT – YEAR B
THEME: The character of every Temptation
BY: Fr. Justus Oruh
(a) The Gospel of Mark gave no details of how Jesus was tempted but vividly described character and background of every temptation. Jesus was in the desert, a dry, lonely and arid place. On the one hand with the wild beasts which could be dangerous and life threatening; on the other hand with the angels ministering to Him.
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(b) This is the background of every temptation. It is a moment we feel deserted, it is the moment we could feel lonely and abandoned even by God, it is a moment we are dried of any motivation, power and spiritual strength. It could be a moment of fear and threats when we hear most the roaring of the devil like the wild beasts seeking whom to devour. It is a perilous time. One can fall prey to the wild beasts. It is a time we can begin to doubt everything, even the reality of our Faith. In temptation we become dry as the desert. But still, at the background of every temptation, there are angels there to assist us. This part eludes us especially when the roaring of the wild beasts becomes so loud at the background.
(c) Jesus was led in the desert where He was tempted. In temptation we are led to face the human nature and condition; filled with worries, threats, sicknesses, fears, anxieties and weaknesses. Amid all these we are reminded that God assists us even through His Angels. We are reminded that God cannot allow us be tempted beyond our limits and ability (1Cor.10:13). We are reminded of His covenant not now with the Rainbow but with the Blood of the Lamb. We are not to yield or succumb to every temptation like the people as in the days of Noah. Despite the big Ark that could contain many, only 8 souls were saved. In temptation we are reminded of the redemptive blood of the new Covenant, shed for “you and for many”. Temptation dreadful as it may be, hauls us into a quiet background as of the desert for inner reflections about our life and conditions. It offers us occasions for true repentance. From the desert, Jesus began to preach the Gospel of repentance. The same was the case with John the Baptist preaching the baptism of repentance from the desert. May God give us grace to conquer Temptations, when we fall may He lift us up.
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