April 1, 2020, Wednesday of the Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A

Daniel 3:14-20.24-25.28,

PSALM Daniel 3:29-30.31.33.32.34,

John 8:31-42 Full Readings

Saint Hugh of Grenoble

Everyone who commits sin is a slave 

Brethren, Jesus asks us, do you want to be free? Yes, then truth will set you free? What's the truth? It is being truthful to your self by not committing sin and leaving away all hypocrisy.The questions of being free might look a simple one, we would automatically answer Yes when we are asked but mostly this is according to our secular understanding, of freedom as being able to do what you want and more so. But the freedom of what Jesus means is more than that, the freedom of heart, the tranquility of the soul, the freedom of living in truth and the freedom which secures us a place in the kingdom of heaven. This is the spiritual freedom. 

Whoever sins us a slave to sin We are therefore slaves in one way or the other. The Jews wouldn't understand what Jesus meant by this, since they knew they were liberated from Egypt, they now live on their own and do whatever they wish. But indeed they were not free but slaves of sin.

March 31, 2020, Tuesday of the Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 102: 1 -2.15,

John 8:21-30 Full Readings

St. Stephen of Mar-Saba  

 O Lord listen to our prayers and let our cry for help reach you

Brethren, it it's quite obvious that the situation we are in is like the situation which the Israelites faced in desert when they spoke and sinned against God and he in turn sent them serpents to bite them. It's only when they recognized their sins, repented and returned to God that the Lord saved them by commanding Moses to make a bronze serpent that whoever was bitten by a snake and looked at it was cured. Could this be the situation with us or not, the only thing is to return to God in prayer and with contrite heart so that he may hear our prayer and give us help. 

The first Reading presents to us the consequences and also the remedy of Sin. To the Israelites, sin was due to lack of trust in God who saved them from slavery and brought them out to freedom.

March 30, 2020, Monday of the Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62, 

Psalm 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6, 

Gospel: John 8:1-11 Full Readings

St. Peter Regaldo 

 Do not fear, God in his own Wisdom will fight for you, his faithful.

Brethren, today's readings point out the goodness of God's wisdom. God in his own Wisdom, gives right judgments to each and everyone either by himself or from his chosen ones to minister to his people. That's the theme of this reflection is Don't fear, you who trust in the Lord, for God in his own Wisdom will fight for you. Wisdom is one of the most precious gifts God will ever give a human person, we Remember the great king of Israel, Solomon just asked for wisdom and all things came to him. God has no wisdom but instead is Wisdom himself, therefore if God gives us Wisdom, he has given us himself. That's why the psalm states, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. God's Wisdom does wonders and inspires everyone as seen in the first Reading.

March 29, 2020, Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A Reflection

Reading I: Ezekiel 37: 12-14, 

Psalm 130:1-2.3-4.5-7a.7b-8, 

Reading II: Romans 8:8-11,  Full Readings

Gospel: John 11:1-45

St. Ludovico of Casoria 

About the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

Previously called "Passion Sunday," (in the Extraordinary Form Mass-The Tridentine Mass, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass (often abbreviated as TLM which was introduced by Council of Trent and used up to the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI, promulgated in 1969, with the revised Roman Missal appearing in 1970 which we use it's updated version today. Tridentine Mass can be used today as  Extraordinary Form Mass) this Sunday marks the beginning of Passiontide, a deeper time of Lent. This is the third Sunday of the scrutinies for the preparation of adult converts, and the final Sunday of Lent before the beginning of Holy Week. The Liturgy of the Word of this day speaks of re-creation, resurrection, and new life.

March 28, 2020, Saturday of the Forth Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Jeremiah 11:18-20, 
Psalm 7:2-3.9bc-10.11-12, 
Gospel: John 7:40-52 Full Reading

St. Catherine of Bologna 

Nobody has ever spoken like Jesus

Brethren today's readings have almost similar message, like the ones of yesterday, about rejection, abandonment and passing wrong judgement. Though the time for Jesus to be arrested has not come, these readings point to us the reality that Jesus will be rejected, abandoned even betrayed by his own disciple and then judged and sentenced to death unjustly. They also show us in a way that us as Christians who speak in the name of God will have such experiences and so we have to stand firm in faith until we reach our destiny.

In the first Reading, we see a plot against Jeremiah, to cut him out of the land that is like cutting the tree of its roots, the only result is for it to die, do we see the plot to kill Jeremiah, why?

March 27, 2020, Friday of the Forth Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Wisdom 2:1a.12-22, 
Psalm 34: 17-18.19-20.21 and 23 (R. 19a), 
Gospel: John 7:1-2.10.25-30 Full Readings

Lazarus 

The Cross of the Virtuous

Brethren, the days are near, the time is coming when Jesus is going to be captured, tried and sentenced to death, as we wait for his resurrection. Today's readings point out very clearly that the virtuous has a cross to carry, the one who trusts in the Lord must suffer in the hands of the people and Jesus also knows it that the time is nearing, even Everyone in Jerusalem knows that they are plotting to kill him. What will Jesus do? Will he abandon his mission entrusted to him by the father ? No, for God is closer to the broken hearted and gives consolation. Jesus was broken-hearted because the people he had come for, the ones who ate with him at the table, were the ones who turned against him and plotted to kill him. In many instances we have again broken the heart of Jesus, by our way of life and refusing to put our trust in him. He feels hurt, he cries deep within on the right hand of the Father when he, who gave his life for us, sees us doing our own and rejecting him as he was rejected and killed. When we reject him, we reject the Father who sent him, and by that we are doomed to death unless we repent and return to him.

March 26, 2020, Thursday of the Forth Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Exodus 32:7- 14, 

Psalm 106:19-20.21-22.23, 

Gospel: John 5:31-47 Full Readings

St. Catherine of Genoa 

 Oh Lord Remember us out of the love you have for your people.

Brethren, let us continue to implore God for his Mercy so that he may remember us in this time of trial, times of pandemic attack.

In the first Reading, Moses pleaded with God who had anger like burning fire and wanted to destroy the Israelites and out of Moses' pleading and righteousness, God had mercy on them and didn't destroy them. The Israelites annoyed God because they had not followed his commandments and ordinances and had made themselves a calf forgetting the God who had brought them from Egypt, from slavery to freedom and liberation.

March 25, 2020, Wednesday of the Forth Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Isaiah 7 :10-14; 8: 10, 

Ps 40:7-8a.8b-9.10, 

Reading II: Hebrews 10:4- 10, 

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Full Readings 

Annunciation of the Lord 

God became man for our salvation

Brethren, today we celebrate the feast of Annunciation of the Lord that is nine months before Christmas, when Jesus was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. God has become man, to live like us and He is Emmanuel meaning God is with us. God takes the first initiative to come to us, to save us according to his promises. Therefore the sole purpose of Annunciation is for our salvation as Matthew 1.21 puts it clearly that he will be called Jesus meaning that he will save his people from their sins. Name Jesus therefore means Saviour.

March 24, 2020, Tuesday of the Forth Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Ezekiel 47:1-9,12, 
Psalm 45(46):2-3,5-7,8-9a, 
Gospel: John 5:1-3,5-16 Full Readings

St. Oscar Romero 

Sin paralyses us

Brethren, if you noticed since Sunday, the message of readings has changed from the warning and call for repentance, to the restoration of life as Jesus performs miracles in the gospels and first Readings promise of New Life. This means that if we have heeded to the call for penance and returning to God, our lives will be restored, and given new life. The restoration of life points us to the glory of Easter where death is conquered and life reigns by Jesus' resurrection.

March 23, 2020, Monday of the Forth Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading: Is 65:17-21; 

Ps 30:2, 4.5-6.11-13, 

Gospel: John 4:43-54. Full Readings

St. Turibius of Mogrovejo 

A promise of New Heaven and earth, that's, a promise of a New Life.

Brethren we are all aware of the pandemic attack of Corona virus, the world is in Chaos, everyone is seeking the answer from God, and everyone has now turned to God, to remember God who is always forgotten by many in preference to the worldly pleasures. A few days ago, I posted that "if we had great respect and fear of God the way we have it for Corona Virus,all these wouldn't have happened, we would be living like angels in heaven" and I really saw the reaction of people. It really touched people and I hope you too are going to be touched, I am sure all this pandemic has been caused by our own disregard of God, his commandments and statutes. One may say it is human creation, and for sure if anyone fears God, he or she cannot do such a thing, to create a virus which kills a massive number of people while God says we preserve life with high dignity. Another one may say, it's not human creation, and this automatically asserts we are serving a punishment which we ourselves are the criminals due to our selfish gains which we use to rule this world and so become like God's.

March 22, 2020, Forth Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: 1 Samuel 16:1b.6-7.10-13a; 

Psalm 23:I-3a.3b-4.5.6; Ephesians 5:8-14; 

John 9:1,6,6-9,13-27,34-8(1-41.) Full Readings

St. Nicholas Owen 

About the forth Sunday (Laetare Sunday)

The opening antiphon shows the name of the Sunday, "Rejoice, Jerusalem and all who love her. Be joyful all who were mourning, exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast." Laetare means Rejoice and therefore this Sunday is known as Laetare Sunday and is a Sunday of joy. Lent is half over, and Easter is enticingly near.

The Church’s liturgy, on this the fourth Sunday of Lent, invites us to retrace one of the fundamental dynamics of our baptismal re-birth through the Gospel account of the healing of the ‘man born blind’. It is the passage from the darkness of sin and error to the Light of God, who is the Risen Christ.

This Sunday was formerly called "Laetare Sunday" since its mood and theme was one of hope and rejoicing that Easter was near. In the reformed calendar this Sunday is not different from the other Sundays of Lent even though the entrance antiphon for the day still begins with the Latin word "laetare" and the vestments worn by the celebrant are rose-colored, not violet. The day is important because it is the day of the second scrutiny in preparation for the baptism of adults at the Easter Vigil. Laetare Sunday is often compared to Gaudete Sunday

Reflection.

March 21, 2020, Saturday of the Third Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Hosea 6:1-6, 

Psalm 51:3-4.18-19.20-21, 

Gospel: Luke 18; 9-14 Full Readings

Blessed John of Parma 

 Be humble and God will hear your prayer, for God desires mercy not Sacrifice 

Beloved brethren, The Pharisee in today’s Gospel did a lot of good things. But he was not sure whether God knew it. So he had to inform God! He lacked one very important virtue, humility. And God knew that, though the man himself didn’t. The tax collector was the exact opposite. He had done a lot of bad things. He knew it, and God knew it too. But he had the humility to acknowledge his shortcomings, and beg for forgiveness. God answered his prayer. No one is ever so good and righteous that he does not need God’s mercy. We should always approach him with a humble and contrite heart, like the tax collector.

"How can we know if our prayer is pleasing to God or not?" The prophet Hosea, who spoke in God's name, said: "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6).

March 20, 2020, Friday of the Third Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Hosea 14:2-10, 

Psalm 80(81):6,8-11,14,17, 

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34. Full Readings

St. Salvator of Horta 

 A call to conversion and to love.

Brethren today's readings invite us to metanoia, to change from our sinful nature, and then love God and our neighbours for by doing that we are not far from the kingdom of God. 

 The first Reading assured us that when we turn back from our sinful nature, there is a promise of safety in the Lord. Most times we might feel cursed, rejected and even the unfortunate of all the people because of our severe downfall, unsuccessfulness and all them the misfortunes which have happened to us.

March 19, 2020, Thursday of the Third Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a.12—14a. 16, 

Ps 89:2-3.4-5.27, 

Reading II: Romans 4: 13.16-18.22, 

Gospel: Matthew 1:16.18—21. Full Readings

St. Joseph Husband of Mary 

Joseph, a Man Enchanted by the Dreams of God.

The first reading proclaims an everlasting kingdom and how God has decided to grant it to a “son of David.” The Gospel proclaims the accomplishment of the promise made to David: one of his descendants has fulfilled the words of Nathan beyond all expectations. The second reading speaks of Abraham, the man who placed his trust in God. Like Abraham, Joseph too believed that the dreams of God would be fulfilled. Abraham and Joseph prove that whoever puts their trust in God will never be disappointed.

March 18, 2020, Wednesday of the Third Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Deut 4:1,5-9, 

Psalm 147:12-13,15-16,19-20, 

Gospel: Mtt 5:27-9 Full Readings

St.Cyril of Jerusalem 

I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets but to complete it.

Dear brethren, we all know that in any society, institution, organization, religious denomination, there are laws, norms and customs which govern and help people to live in Harmony with one another as well as in good relationships with God. These laws are intended to bring people together, make them happy, and give everyone freedom and respective rights. Law is a very sensitive part when it comes to the dos and don'ts.

March 17, 2020, Tuesday of the Third Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Daniel 3:24,34-43, 

Psalm 24(25):4-6,7a-9, 

Gospel: Mt 18:21-35 Full Readings

St.Patrick 

This is how my father I'm heaven will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother or sister from your heart.

Brethren today's readings point out the purpose of asking for forgiveness and the importance of forgiving one another. 

The first Reading presents the prayer of Azaria in the midst of fire asking God to spare them and forgive all the guilt of the people not with burnt offerings of Rams and bulls but with a contrite and humbled heart.  Today God desires no burnt sacrifices but a humble contrite heart, it is the Spirit that reached God than any other thing like sacrifice.

March 16, 2020, Monday of the Third Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: 2 kings 5:1-15a, 
Psalm 42:2.3;43 : 3.4 (R. 42:3), 
Gospel: Luke 4:24-30 Full Readings

St. Clement Mary Hofbauer 

No prophet can be accepted in his own country.

Dear Brethren, When you are doing well, and you have won the approval of many people, the expectation is that the people closest to you, your kith and kin, will be among them. According to Jesus in today’s Gospel, that expectation is not always met. As a matter of fact, your own people can be offended by your very success. More often than not, it is because they know you only too well. As the saying goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” The lack of recognition by his people did not deter Jesus from carrying on with his mission of salvation. The lack of recognition by people should not stop a disciple of Jesus from doing whatever good he has been sent to do. Do you believe that God wants to act with power in your life today?

March 15, 2020, Third Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Exodus 27: 3-7, 

Psalm 94:1-2,6-9, Romans 5:2-2, 5-8, 

Gospel: John 4:5-16,19-26,39-46 (shorter Version) Full Readings

St. Louise de Marillac 

 A spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Brethren, we all know the importance of water in our lives, without it we are dead. Water as commonly said is life, but precisely water is the source of life, that's why we see in the first Reading the Israelites are complaining too much again Moses and God even putting God to test by(is  the God in our midst or not, Why did u bring us here to die in wilderness) for they were to die because of lack of water. God in his Mercy and goodness gave them water from the rock. The rock is always cool and so gives cool water which quenches the thirst faster and provides a new life. 

The Lord is always generous in giving but it requires our trust and our faithfulness in him not to put him to test as Israelites did.

March 14, 2020, Saturday of the Second Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Micah 7:14-15,18-20

Psalm 102:1-4,9-12

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3,11-32 Full Readings

St. Maximilian

A Father’s Unwavering Love

“Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.” Then the celebration began.  Luke 15:22–24

In this familiar story of the Prodigal Son, we see courage in the son by choosing to return to his father.  And this is significant even though the son returned primarily out of desperate need.  Yes, he humbly admits his wrongs and asks his father to forgive and to treat him like one of his hired hands.  But he did return!  The question to answer is “Why?”

March 13, 2020, Friday of the Second Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Genesis 37:3-4,13-13,17-28, 

Psalm 104(5): 16-21, 

Gospel: Mat: 21: 33-43, 45-46 Full Readings

St. Leander of Seville 

Remember the wonders that the Lord has done even the stone which was rejected has become the cornerstone.

Today's readings point out a very fundamental theme, God does wonders according to his plan.  The first Reading presents to us envious brothers of Joseph who plot to kill him, for his God given gifts and for being loved by Israel (Israel means Jacob his father).  However his brother Reuben intervenes and tries to save him until he is sold to Ishmaelites, and taken as a slave in Egypt. We all know how the story ended, and how he finally came to the rescue of Israel in times of famine. 

In our lives, there are people who are not happy with who we are, what we do, with the talents we have, what we have, not happy with our personality and with our successes in life.

March 12, 2020,Thursday of the Second Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Jeremiah 17:5-20, 

Psalm 1:1-4,6, 

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31 Full Readings

Blessed Angela Salawa 

Happy the one who has placed his trust in the Lord 

The first and the Gospel reading point out very clearly that the one who trusts in the Lord will never be put to shame whatever circumstances he or she passes through, He is far better than those who place his  trust in human beings and even earthly things.

Jeremiah compares the one who places his trust in God as a tree near the waterside, and it cannot be affected by any drought and will flourish forever. Most of the time we speak of trust in relationships, families, at work, in businesses, in the political arena, and other areas, for sure it is good to develop that trust, for when we trust we are also trusted.

March 11, 2020, Wednesday of the Second Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Jeremiah 18:28-20,

Psalm 31:5-6,14,15-16

Gospel:  Mt:20:17-28 Full Readings

St. John Ogilivie 

Save me O Lord in your Kindness. 

Today's responsorial psalm is a prayer for the persecuted, the abandoned and the rejected because of doing the work of God even as we see in the first Reading.

Jeremiah because of his prophecy and proclaiming the word of God which was contrary and challenging the people of the time, their ways and leaders, is plotted against to be killed.

March 10, 2020, Tuesday of the Second Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Isaiah 1:10,16-20,

Psalm 50:8-9,18-17,21,23

Gospel: Mt. 23:1-12 Full Readings

St. Dominic Savio 

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

 The above verse is the verse before the Gospel which can summarize what is expected of us in this Lenten season. Let's endeavor to create a new spirit, new beginning, new relationship with God and neighbors, for God has really called us for this change.

In the first Reading the Lord warns Sodom and Gomorrah, to change and turn away from their old ways of life otherwise, they are doomed to death. This reading shows that our God is merciful,

March 9, 2020, Monday of the Second Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading 1: Daniel 9: 4B-10, 

Psalm 79:8,9,11,13

Gospel: Luke 6:36-38 Full Readings

St. Frances of Rome 

Today's first Reading from prophet Daniel invited as Israelites did, to reflect on our lives, assess them and be truly sorry for our sins. The first stage of conversion is always recognition of our faults, to know that we have truly sinned, not to continue pretending that all is well, which involves also making sins normal, we decide on ourselves to make them good. There we try to become God ourselves, we refuse to heed to the instructions and way of life God gives us, by that, we have really sinned. So let us examine our lives:

March 8, 2020, Second Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading 1: Genesis 12:1-4a

Responsorial Psalm: 33.4-5,18-19,20,22

Reading II: Timothy 1:8b-10

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 Full Readings

St. John of God

A Personal Call

The call of Abram in the first Reading reminds each one of us his or her own unique individual calling. Each one of us is called independently and he is supposed to respond independently, takes responsibility himself or herself. The call of God is a call to share his divine life in different ways we live our lives, we are called to live a Godly life in our lives. So let us ask ourselves, you/me as a wife, as a husband, as a child, as a religious, as a priest, as a Bishop, as a mother, as a father, as an employee, as an employer, as a worker, as a driver, as an accountant, as a politician and whatever, you have been called to be, have you done your responsibility well as God demands. What difference have you made in your responsibility that will: make people remember you as Abraham, make you a blessing to them, and a source of happiness and success for other people. If we haven't done this we are defiling God's call and trying to fulfill our plan, and using others as our means.

March 7, 2020, Saturday of the First Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading 1: Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8

Gospel, Matthew 5:43-48 Full Readings

Saints Perpetua and Felicity 

Brethren, today let us pray through our African saints, Perpetua and Felicity, patrons of expectant mothers, and pray for the mothers to have good conditions during their pregnancy and deliver well.

Today's readings invite us to a unique way of life guided by the fear of the Lord and observance of his commandments.

March 6, 2020, Friday of the First Sunday of Lent, Year A

Reading 1: EZ 18:21-28

Responsorial Psalm: 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7A, 7BC-8

Gospel: MT 5:20-26 Full Readings

St. Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes 

Dear brethren, this second Friday of Lent, we are all invited to abstain from meat and if possible deny yourself some food and fast today, for the sake of that who don't have.

The reflection today bases on, if Lord would mark our iniquities then, who would stand.

March 5, 2020, Thursday of the First Sunday of Lent,Year A

First Reading: Esther 12: 14-16, 23-25.

Psalm 138: 1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

Gospel 7:7-12 Full Readings

St. John Joseph of the Cross 

Ask the Lord and you will receive.

Esther is on her knees asking the Lord to intervene in her situation and indeed the Lord heard her, and was delivered and saved her from the hands of the enemy. In Gospel Jesus also encourages us to ask and receive, knock and the door shall be open, seek and we shall find. This means everything we want is there waiting for us, God Waits for our initiative to ask what we receive, for He is always ready to give.

March 4, 2020, Wednesday of the First Sunday of Lent Year A

Reading I: Jonah 3: 1-10

Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18

Luke 11: 29-32                Full Readings

St. Casimir  

Responding to the Call to Repent

“At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”  Luke 11:32

What an interesting way for Jesus to call the people to repentance.  Simply put, the people of Nineveh repented when Jonah preached to them.  However, the people in Jesus’ time did not.  The result is that, at the end of time, the people of Nineveh will be given the responsibility of condemning those who failed to listen to Jesus.

March 3, 2020, Tuesday of the First Sunday of Lent, Year A

Reading I: Isaiah 55:10-11

Psalm 34: 4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15               Full Readings

St. Katharine Drexel 

Forgiving Others and Being Forgiven

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”  Matthew 6:14–15

This passage presents us with an ideal we must strive for.  It also presents us with the consequences if we do not strive for this ideal.  Forgive and be forgiven.  Both must be desired and sought after. When forgiveness is properly understood, it is much easier to desire, give and receive.

March 2, 2020, Monday of the First Sunday of Lent, Year A

Reading I: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18

Psalm 19: 8, 9, 10, 15

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46         Full Readings

St. Agnes of Bohemia

Serving Christ in Others

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”  Matthew 25:40

Who is that “least brother?”  It’s interesting that Jesus specifically points to the person considered the least, as opposed to a more general statement that includes all people.  Why not say, “Whatever you do to others…?”  This would include all whom we serve.  But instead Jesus pointed to the least brother.  Perhaps this should be seen, especially, as the most sinful person, the weakest, the most gravely ill, the incapacitated, the hungry and the homeless, and all those who have pronounced needs in this life.

March 1, 2020, First Sunday of Lent, Year A

Reading I: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Psalm 51: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17

Reading II: Romans 5: 12-19

Gospel: Matthew 4: 1-11             Full Readings

St. David of Wales 

Facing Temptation

Then 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.  Matthew 4:1–2

Is temptation good?  Certainly it’s not a sin to be tempted.  Otherwise our Lord could never have been tempted Himself.  But He was. And so are we. As we enter into the first full week of Lent, we are given the opportunity to ponder the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert.

Temptation is never from God. But God does permit us to be tempted.  Not so that we fall, but so that we grow in holiness.