On this First Sunday of Lent, many of us might be feeling like we’re in a wilderness place where we’re being confronted with some of the mysteries of life, relationships, suffering and sinfulness.
In this weekend’s Gospel Reading for the First Sunday in Lent in Year C (Luke 4:1-13),we hear the account of Jesus being led through the wilderness. There he faced the forces of evil and was tempted for forty days to opt for comfort, power and wealth. His response to each of the temptations was the same. At each point of the struggle, he chose to put his trust in God alone.
In this first week of Lent, we are invited to spend some time reflecting on this experience of Jesus and our own experiences in the wilderness.
* What is your experience of the wilderness at present?
* As you move through these days, in what ways are you being tempted to give in to comfort, power or wealth?
* What are the circumstances in your life, in your family or community’s life, or in the life of the Church, where you are being invited to place your trust in God?
The following reflection prepared by Veronica Lawson RSM was first published at https://www.mercyworld.org. It is offered here as a resource for prayer and reflection in the coming week:
https://www.mercyworld.org/reflection-on-the-gospel-lent-vl.pdf
In our quiet moments of prayer, let us remember all those living in wilderness places today – asylum seekers waiting for a safe haven, individuals, families and faith communities impacted by sexual abuse, victims of all other forms of exploitation and those struggling with addictions. “Be with me Lord, when I am in trouble.” (Psalm 90/91)