2-25-26- First Sunday of Lent 2026
Our readings on this first Sunday of Lent, call us to reflect on our own identity before God and to ponder to whom do we belong? In the gospel, Jesus enters the desert, following his baptism by John the Baptist. Remember in his baptism how the power of God descended upon Jesus and said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus immediately goes now into the desert, following his baptism, to discern what these words mean-“This is my Son...” So also, in Lent we are called through prayer and meditation to discern what it means to be baptized “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” For these were the words that were pronounced over us as water was poured on us in our baptism. A moment by which we too became a child of God. This time in the desert is an experience of isolation, deprivation, and discernment. Just as our Lent is a time of fasting, mediation, and prayer. After wandering for 40 days, Jesus is hungry. Is he hungry only for food or is his hunger also deeper, for something else. The tempter says to him “if you are the Son of God, command, these stones be turned into bread. “ Note that the tempter challenges Jesus “if you are the Son of God,” to look at that identity that has been proclaimed for him in his baptism. Perhaps this Lent, we too can ponder at times our own identity as Catholics yes, but more as disciples of Christ. Perhaps we can discern what those words really mean to us. Jesus responds to the tempter that “not by bread alone does one live, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. “What feeds us? What makes us strong? How does the word of God, the scriptures, empower our lives? Or is our empowerment from what others say of us, or from what the world dictates who we are? The second temptation begins with a similar statement to Jesus “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down (i.e., off the temple). For it is written that He will command his angels concerning you, and with their hands they will support you lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Note again how this temptation begins with an identity question “If you are the Son of God…” Perhaps this Lent we can reflect on our own identity and what are the challenges that the world presents to us as “his disciples?” Are there not times when others question us about our faith in God and may even tempt us with the darkness of doubt. In those times, who is it that we turned to, ourselves or God for answers? The first temptation is about human need; the second temptation is about demanding God perform some sign to show His presence in our life; and now in the third temptation we see it is about power. In this third and final temptation, the tempter takes Jesus up on a high Mountain and shows him all the kingdoms of the world that will ever exist in all their glory. The tempter says” I will give you all this power, wealth, and glory. All you have to do is worship me.” The word worship means to prize something above everything else. To value something more important than anyone or anything else. And so, this third temptation asks us something also. What do we value as the most important thing for us to focus our entire attention on in our lives? Is it something personal, money, control, pride, image, addiction that holds our ultimate attention? Is it family, title, possessions that we prize above all? This third temptation asks us what is the very first thing that we prize in our lives above everything else? And in that consideration, that reflection, we might ask ourselves: How enduring is this thing, this person, this status, above all else? Jesus in the end will finally give his life for this relationship with God,” Father into your hands I commend my life.” (Luke23:45). And he will do this not only for himself but more, for all of us, his brothers, and sisters. In the first reading, we have the beautiful story of Adam who is created first in this Genesis account and then the garden of Eden is created to support him and meet all his needs. And finally, the woman is created. The woman is not to fulfill Adams needs, but rather to be his companion, his helpmate. Both, Adam and Eve, succumb to the tempter’s temptation about being the ones who can be just like God. All they have to do is eat the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve ate it. But, instead of being left with a sense of power, they are left with sense guilt and shame. Those feelings become evident when in the afternoon God comes to walk with them and they hide from God, saying it is because of their “nakedness.” Their nakedness is not about lack of clothing as much as it is about their feelings of guilt and shame. These feelings have made them aware that instead of feeling powerful, they are left with feelings of being terribly vulnerable and exposed. This first reading invites us to think and ponder about what are the things in our lives which separates us from God? Separate us, in such a way, that when God says-"Where are you?” we hide from Him. What is it that we carry as guilt in our hearts that leaves us, like Adam and Eve, feeling vulnerable and exposed? What is the guilt that we carry that Jesus so wants to heal within us? And so, we begin our Lenten journey with much to consider during these 40 days. We too, like Jesus, will wander in a desert not of our own making. And yet, while in that desert we may encounter guilt or shame, we will also encounter redemption. Because in that wandering, we do not go alone, for Jesus goes with us to show us the light and the path that leads us to the ultimate truth: our relationship in God. A relationship that makes us daughters and sons of God, and disciples of Jesus. We do not need to hide from God. God knows us and God is ready to accept us as “naked” as we are. For we are beautiful in His eyes. Because, as it says in the Book of Genesis- “God looked at everything he had made and found it very good.” (Gensis 1:31)
