Reflection for Sunday 22nd February, 2026

1st Sunday of Lent 

Temptations of Jesus (Matt 4: 1-11)

On the First Sunday of Lent each year, the Gospel is about the temptations of Jesus before commencing his public ministry. “Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

The nature of temptation

Today’s First Reading (Gen 2:7-9. 3:1-7) offers a story of how sin came into the world. The story of the forbidden fruit is the prototype of all temptation. As we learn from the Gospel of John, the devil is anti-truth and anti-life, being the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning. The most successful deception is the half-truth, which is like the tasty bait luring the fish while concealing the sharp hook. The tempter begins by planting a doubt in the minds of Adam and Eve.

May the Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days be your guide and support this Lent.

“Did God really say you were not to eat the fruit of any of the trees in the garden?” Then he turns their attention to the one forbidden tree, the tree of life, which looks very enticing, bearing tasty fruit. Their senses are attracted to the bait. Then comes the deception. “Isn’t God the cute one! No, you will not die. This is the tree which will give you the knowledge of good and evil. Your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods with the knowledge of good and evil.” The temptation is to take God’s place, having moral autonomy. You can then make your own rules. Their eyes were indeed opened, not only to what is good, but now also to what is evil.

Temptations of Jesus

Jesus was about to commence his public mission to reclaim people to the kingdom of God. He needed time to prepare. In Scripture, forty, be it of days or years, is the number associated with preparation. He was clarifying what he would do and what temptations he might face.
Because he was fasting, the first temptation was to change stones into bread. “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into bread.” This was the bait. Providing bread for people is a noble task but there were many good bakers who could do that. Jesus would not be misled. “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He clarified his mind that his mission would invite people to the bread of God’s word.
Then the master of the half-truth tried a second ploy. Attract people to be your followers by a sensational stunt. Go up to the roof of the temple, throw yourself down in the sure and certain belief that the angels will support you. But Jesus will not court popularity with sensational tricks. This testing has clarified his intention to be on the side of those who are poor in spirit, gentle, merciful, and willing to survive persecution for their ideals. All will be revealed in the Beatitudes.
The third temptation is based on a huge lie. “Dia-bolos” means one who divides and leads astray, so it is no bother to claim ownership of all the kingdoms of the world. If Jesus would fall at the feet of Satan and worship him, he would receive mastery of these kingdoms. But Jesus would have nothing to do with power associated with lies, violence, greed, hatred, war, inequality, and other forms of evil. “You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.” The followers of Jesus would be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Ash Wednesday

Lent began with the blessing of ashes. There is a choice of formula while applying the blessed ashes. “Remember that you are but dust and unto dust you shall return.” We are not going to live here forever. Be ready at all times.
The other formula is “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” To believe in the Gospel means to belong to God … to take God seriously … to be Christian not only in name but in fact.
Lent is a time to take an honest look at ourselves. What should we give up and what can we take on?
Give up any harmful behaviour. Are you half-hearted or settling for the minimum? If you are addicted to the iPhone, it is likely that you are self-centred and insensitive to the world and people around you.
Take on more time for prayer or good reading. Do you respect the sacred name of Jesus? Do something to raise funds for some charitable organization.
May the Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days be your guide and support this Lent.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, O Holy Spirit, breath of life. Come to us in our valley of dry bones. Come and renew the heart of the Church and the face of the earth. Enkindle within us the fire of your love.