“Jesus was led by the Spirit through the wilderness and was tempted there.”
As with each First Sunday of Lent the Gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness; as we begin the journey of Lent, during which we will consider our lives as members of the Church, we look to the example of Jesus when it comes to dealing with temptation. Choosing to follow God’s path is the first characteristic of the Christian: this is underlined in the two other readings, which outline the two” creeds” or statements of belief – one of Israel and one of the Christian. Both of them emphasise “believing in the heart and confessing with the lips”: both creeds underline the Salvation that God has achieved – for Israel it was freedom from Egypt, for the Christian freedom from death in Jesus.
PSALM
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High and abides in the shade of the Almighty says to the Lord: “My refuge my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!” Upon you no evil shall fall, no plague approach where you dwell. For you has he commanded his angels, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you upon their hands lest you strike your foot against a stone. On the lion and the viper you will tread and trample the young lion and the dragon. His love he set on me, so I will rescue him; protect him for he knows my name. When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you.” I will save him in distress and give him glory.
1st Reading: Deut 26: 4-10
2nd Reading: Romans 10: 8-13
Gospel: Luke 4: 1-13
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