HOMILY OF 1ST SUNDAY IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY OF 1ST SUNDAY IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: THE THREE TEMPTATIONS—A ROADMAP FOR LENT
BY: Fr Anthony O. Ezeaputa, MA.
Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13
The 40-day Lenten season offers us a sacred time to examine our lives and identify the obstacles that hinder our relationship with God and one another. As we embark on this journey, we are called to ask ourselves a profound question: “What attachments, habits, or sins do I need to give up or change to become the person God created me to be?”
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This question echoes the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which reminds us that “God created us to love him, to be with him, and to be happy with him forever” (CCC 27). Indeed, Lent is an opportunity for us to rediscover our purpose and realign our lives with God’s plan.
As we reflect on our lives and our relationship with God, today’s Gospel reading (Luke 4:1-13) offers us a powerful reflection of our struggles to stay on track with God’s plan. The temptations of Jesus in the desert serve as a mirror, revealing three key areas where we can refocus our lives and rediscover our purpose. Let us examine each of these temptations and see how they relate to our own lives.
In the first temptation, the devil tempts Jesus, saying, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (Luke 4:3). Jesus’ response is profound: “One does not live by bread alone” (Luke 4:4).
This temptation highlights a universal struggle we all face at some point in our lives—prioritizing physical needs over spiritual ones. By putting basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, health, and financial security above our spiritual well-being, we can easily derail from fulfilling the purpose for which God created us. This is a timely reminder for us to examine our priorities and ensure that we are not neglecting our spiritual needs.
The second temptation presents another common struggle. The devil presents Jesus with a seductive offer: “All this will be yours if you worship me” (Luke 4:6-7). Jesus responds firmly, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve” (Luke 4:8).
This temptation is about trading loyalty to God for worldly power and status. We must admit that all of us have experienced the temptation to compromise our values for a fleeting gain. Lent offers us a chance to ask ourselves, where have I placed my allegiance? Is it with God or with the fleeting allurements of the world?
The third temptation represents a flawed approach to faith. The devil tempts Jesus, saying, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here…” (Luke 4:9-11). Jesus firmly replies, “Do not test the Lord your God” (Luke 4:12). This temptation symbolizes our tendency to try to manipulate God’s promises instead of trusting in His sovereign care.
Genuine faith isn’t about pushing God’s limits but about surrendering to His goodness, wisdom, and provision. When we trust in God’s character, we open ourselves to experiencing His presence, guidance, and peace, freeing us to live with confidence, hope, and abandon.
These three temptations represent fundamental human struggles: prioritizing physical needs over spiritual ones, seeking worldly power and status, and testing God’s goodness. The responses of Jesus offer us a roadmap for navigating these struggles and becoming the people God wants us to be.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us renew our commitment to God, refocus our priorities, and rediscover the joy of living a life devoted to Him. May our prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and penance this Lent help us grow in faith, hope, and love.
May we emerge from this journey renewed, refreshed, and more devoted to our Lord. Amen.
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