HOMILY OF THE 1ST SUNDAY IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY OF THE 1ST SUNDAY IN LENT — YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION
BY: Fr. Ernest Nkamuke
Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13
Few days ago, we entered the season of Lent. This season characterised by fasting, prayer and almsgiving, is specifically marked out to commemorate the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to anticipate his resurrection. As we fast, pray and give alms, the liturgy of today invites us to resist the temptation of the devil and to profess our faith and trust in God despite all challenges.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY OF THE 1ST SUNDAY IN LENT
In the first reading, Moses reminds the Israelites of their history and how God has always led them through life’s vicissitudes. A few days ago, we were reminded that we were nothing (dust) and shall return to nothing (dust). Today, the creed of the Israelites as reminds us that our sacrifices, good deeds, and prayers must be carried out as our acts of thanksgiving to God to whom alone we owe our being and achievements.
In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us to deepen our faith in God as it is the only instrument with which we can please God. When we believe and trust in him, we shall never be put to shame and shall defeat all the ploys of the evil one.
In the gospel reading, we are presented with the three temptations of Jesus and how he conquered them. These temptations came after forty days of intense fasting and prayer and when he was filled with the Holy Spirit. This is a sign that our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving is not an immunity against temptation but rather gives us the strength to remain steadfast during temptation. Human striving is characterized mainly by three desires: wealth, power and fame. The three temptations of the devil to Jesus reflect these three desires.
In the first temptation, the devil wanted Jesus to show that he was an economic Messiah, one who came to grant economic prosperity and to kill poverty. In response, Jesus reminds the devil that strength comes not only from material things, but more from doing the will of God. Hence, the desire for wealth should not take the place of the desire for God.
In the second temptation, the devil asks Jesus to submit to his power in exchange for worldly power and riches. In response, Jesus tells the devil that all power belongs to God and that he alone deserves our worship. In essence, to be powerful is to be closer to God.
In the third temptation, the devil wants Jesus to perform a miracle that will make him famous. In response, Jesus reminds Satan that miracle is not about conjuring God to make him do what you want. Any fame that is worth the name is one that acknowledges that God’s will and not man’s will always be done.
Beloved in the Lord, we live in an era when people do anything humanly possible to achieved wealth, power and fame. By fasting and abstinence during this season of Lent, we acknowledge with Jesus that it is not physical food and material possession alone that gives life, but that life comes more from listening to God and doing his will. By praying, we affirm that all power belongs to Jesus and that we must worship him alone and not submit to the authority of any evil force. By giving alms, we affirm with Jesus that the possessions we have are not for our personal aggrandizement alone, but the good of the entire universe.
As we fast, pray and give alms this Lenten season, may we avoid anything that will lead us into temptation. May we always be ready to reject the devil and all his evil desires. May we always stand for God and apart from the devil.
Happy Sunday!
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>
Dear friends in Christ, We have been sustained by your Charity for the past 11years. Here we are saddled with annual bills. Please, be kind to us with your donation. Click on the “Donate” button to get started. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
