FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

REFLECTION AND PRAYER
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

On this 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐭, we embark on a journey of 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥. Lent is a time to turn our hearts back to God, to seek His mercy, and to strengthen our faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, facing temptation yet remaining faithful, we too are called to trust in God’s strength and resist the distractions that pull us away from Him.

As we begin this sacred season, may we open our hearts to transformation, seek deeper intimacy with Christ, and embrace the grace that God so freely gives. Let this time be one of spiritual growth, self-discipline, and a renewed commitment to love and serve others. May we walk this path with faith, hope, and love, knowing that God is always with us.

GOSPEL: LUKE 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory, for it has been handed over to me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship this Lord, your God, and him along shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and “With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from for a time.

One pronounced effect of fasting is hunger. Is it good to be hungry? All three Synoptic Gospels speak of Jesus being hungry after fasting in the desert. During His time of hunger, Jesus was tempted by satan.

Hunger is a natural experience that tells us that our bodies need food. Of course, if we build a habit of indulgent eating, our appetites will hunger for more, even when we do not need more food. Hunger, in its balanced state, identifies a lacking and drives us to satisfy it. It’s helpful to understand that physical hunger can also produce great spiritual effects in the soul. When our bodies are temporarily deprived of food, the hunger produced can help us more clearly perceive the spiritual hunger we have within our souls.

That spiritual hunger persists until we are completely united with God. We can never get enough of God in this life, so we will forever long for more of Him. However, we can easily cover up the spiritual hunger we have for God by indulging our bodily appetites to the point that we no longer pay attention to the deeper spiritual hunger. When we fast from food, and become more aware of our physical hunger, a light shines more clearly on our spiritual hunger that is crying out to be satisfied.

Thus, fasting from food is not done simply for the sake of fasting or because we have to do so on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday according to Church regulations. Ideally, we will willingly practice fasting every week, even outside of Lent, as a way of helping ourselves never to forget the emptiness within that needs God’s spiritual satiation.

If you do not fast regularly, consider making this a part of your weekly routine, beginning this Lent. Fasting and every other penitential practice have as their goal the purification of our bodily desires so that our spiritual desires will become more evident. Only when we perceive these spiritual longings within, can we begin to allow God to be the One Who satiates them.

Ponder the experience of hunger in light of Jesus’ physical hunger in the desert. Though He always longed for His Father and always remained perfectly one with Him, Jesus allowed Himself to endure physical hunger to reveal the spiritual benefit of fasting. Learn from His hunger and commit yourself to the practice of physical fasting so that you will be able to more clearly perceive the spiritual longing you have for God within the depths of your soul.

PRAYER

My penitential Lord, though You were perfect in every way and always enjoyed full communion with Your Father, You allowed Your human nature to experience the hunger of fasting so that You could infuse that penitential act with Your divine grace. Please give me the resolve I need to form a habit of fasting and self-denial so that I will perceive more clearly the hunger I have for You, Your Father, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus, I trust in You.

Source mycatholiclife