Welcome to our Bible Welcome to our Bible StudyStudy

9 March 2011st Sunday of Lent A

In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy

In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFMOFM

11stst reading: Genesis 2,7-9; 3,1-7 reading: Genesis 2,7-9; 3,1-7Creation of Man / Setting 2,7 The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew

into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being. 8 Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and he placed there the man whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.

TemptationTemptation 3,1 Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the

LORD God had made. The serpent asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?" 2 The woman answered the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.'" 4 But the serpent said to the woman: "You certainly will not die! 5 No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad." 6 The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

The focus is on the temptation.

11stst reading: Genesis 2,7-9; 3,1-7 reading: Genesis 2,7-9; 3,1-7Creation / Setting 2,7 The LORD God

formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being. 8 Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and he placed there the man whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.

Commentary The text comes from the second

story of creation (2,4b--3,24). The first creation story (1,1-2,4a) God creates man out of clay and his

breath. v.7 God also creates a garden and

settles the man there.v.8 God again creates. This time he

creates trees. v.9 Delightful to see Good for food

There are two trees of special interest:

Tree of life Tree of the knowledge of good and

evil.

Temptation 3,1 Now the serpent was the

most cunning of all the animals that the LORD God had made. The serpent asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?" 2 The woman answered the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.'" 4 But the serpent said to the woman: "You certainly will not die! 5 No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad."

In 3,1 the author (Yahwist) personifies the serpent. The author makes him speak and talk to the woman.

The serpent asks a seemingly innocent question, but truth is, he plays on the woman’s weakness (or challenges God’s authority).

In vv.2-3, the woman entertains the cunning serpent (snake) and this is a big mistake.

In vv.4-5, the serpent again speaks in a more convincing manner. He subverts the threat of

death. He assures of the good effect

once she will eat of it. Their eyes will be opened. They will become like gods

who know everything (merismus: good and bad)

The Fall 6 The woman saw

that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

V.6 reveals the woman’s inner craving for three reasons:

Good for food Pleasing to the eyes Desirable for gaining wisdom

In v.6b, the woman acts to satisfy her desire.

She took some of its fruit and ate it She also gave some to her husband.

(She did extra.) It is a violation of God’s command.

(Gen 2,16-17) V.7 mentions the unexpected

result. Yes, their eyes are opened, but they

have not attained wisdom. Instead, they see their nakedness

(vulnerability). They are ashamed. They saw fig leaves and make

loincloths to cover their bodies. They do not become like gods.

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst reading reading We must know our limits. We must be wise enough on whom to listen to. We must discern where the voice, inducing us to

do something, is coming from: From God or from our subliminal needs?

If we want to know everything, to taste everything, to always satisfy our appetites, if we want to be like the gods…forget it. We are courting disaster. We are playing with fire.

Let’s learn from the mistake of Adam and Eve.

Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 R. (cf. 3a) R. (cf. 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.4 Thoroughly wash me from my guilt4 Thoroughly wash me from my guiltand of my sin cleanse me.and of my sin cleanse me.

5 For I acknowledge my offense,5 For I acknowledge my offense,and my sin is before me always:and my sin is before me always:6 “Against you only have I sinned,6 “Against you only have I sinned,and done what is evil in your sight.”and done what is evil in your sight.”

12 A clean heart create for me, O God,12 A clean heart create for me, O God,and a steadfast spirit renew within me.and a steadfast spirit renew within me.13 Cast me not out from your presence,13 Cast me not out from your presence,and your Holy Spirit take not from me.and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

16 Give me back the joy of your salvation,16 Give me back the joy of your salvation,and a willing spirit sustain in me.and a willing spirit sustain in me.17 O Lord, open my lips,17 O Lord, open my lips,and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17Resp. Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17 R. (cf. 3a) R. (cf. 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for Be merciful, O Lord, for

we have sinned.we have sinned.

3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your 3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;goodness;in the greatness of your compassion in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.wipe out my offense.4 Thoroughly wash me from my guilt4 Thoroughly wash me from my guiltand of my sin cleanse me.and of my sin cleanse me.

5 For I acknowledge my offense,5 For I acknowledge my offense,and my sin is before me always:and my sin is before me always:6 “Against you only have I sinned,6 “Against you only have I sinned,and done what is evil in your sight.”and done what is evil in your sight.”

12 A clean heart create for me, O 12 A clean heart create for me, O God,God,and a steadfast spirit renew within and a steadfast spirit renew within me.me.13 Cast me not out from your 13 Cast me not out from your presence,presence,and your Holy Spirit take not from and your Holy Spirit take not from me.me.

16 Give me back the joy of your 16 Give me back the joy of your salvation,salvation,and a willing spirit sustain in me.and a willing spirit sustain in me.17 O Lord, open my lips,17 O Lord, open my lips,and my mouth shall proclaim your and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.praise.

Commentary The psalm is full of parallelisms. A parallelism is a style of saying the

same thing in different ways (different vocabularies).

In v.3, the psalmist, a repentant sinner (supposedly David), asks God for mercy and compassion. (Prayer for Mercy)

In vv.3b-4, three times the psalmist asks God to show his mercy by

Wiping out his offense Washing from his guilt Cleansing of his sin

In v.5, the psalmist admits his offense/ sin. (Admission of Guilt)

In v.6, the psalmist admits that his sin is directed against God and flagrantly he has done evil even in front of God.

In v.12, the psalmist prays for cleansing (=forgiving) and spirit of renewal.

In v.13, the psalmist asks not to be cast out from God’s fold.

V.16 implies that that inner joy returns when there is forgiveness.

V.17 is a prayer to help us pray. It is God who makes us pray.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm We must learn how to repent from our sins.We must learn how to repent from our sins. We repent in the context of prayer.We repent in the context of prayer. When repenting, we admit our guilt, our sins, our When repenting, we admit our guilt, our sins, our

violations and transgressions.violations and transgressions. When repenting, we ask for mercy, understanding, When repenting, we ask for mercy, understanding,

forgiveness, and loveforgiveness, and love When we are forgiven, we experience serenity and joy When we are forgiven, we experience serenity and joy

in our heart. We feel God’s spirit working in us again.in our heart. We feel God’s spirit working in us again. If you are always justifying yourself by saying “I did If you are always justifying yourself by saying “I did

not do anything wrong, they are wrong,” you will never not do anything wrong, they are wrong,” you will never repent and you will keep repeating the same mistakes.repent and you will keep repeating the same mistakes.

Have you ever repented? Have you ever examined Have you ever repented? Have you ever examined your conscience?your conscience?

Have you ever realized you offended anyone by your Have you ever realized you offended anyone by your careless speech, action (body language, foul careless speech, action (body language, foul gestures)?gestures)?

22ndnd reading: Romans 5,12.17-19 reading: Romans 5,12.17-19The coming of sin and death 12 Through one man sin entered the world, and

through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.

Reign of life through Jesus 17 For if, by the transgression of one, death came to

reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.

18 In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. 19 For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous.

The focus is on sin and grace.

22ndnd reading: Romans 5,12.17-19 reading: Romans 5,12.17-19The coming of sin and death 12 Through one man sin

entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.

Reign of life through Jesus 17 For if, by the transgression

of one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.

18 In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. 19 For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous.

CommentaryCommentary The reading recalls the fall of The reading recalls the fall of

Adam (and Eve) in Genesis.Adam (and Eve) in Genesis. It is a theological reflection on the It is a theological reflection on the

first reading.first reading. The first parents fall into sin. The The first parents fall into sin. The

consequence is death.consequence is death. V.12 clarifies that all men and V.12 clarifies that all men and

women die, because they too women die, because they too commit sin. Their death is not commit sin. Their death is not attributed solely to the first attributed solely to the first parents.parents.

V.17 speaks of the redemption of V.17 speaks of the redemption of humankind.humankind.

Picking up the sin of one man as Picking up the sin of one man as the cause of death, we come the cause of death, we come back to life through the merit of back to life through the merit of one man also, Jesus Christ.one man also, Jesus Christ.

Vv.18-19 further develop the idea Vv.18-19 further develop the idea of v.17.of v.17.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd reading reading Jesus dismantles sin and its consequence - death.Jesus dismantles sin and its consequence - death. Christ repairs (undo) the damage done by the sin Christ repairs (undo) the damage done by the sin

of our first parents.of our first parents. How does he do it?How does he do it?

Through obedience to God’s law.Through obedience to God’s law. By listening to the voice of the Father.By listening to the voice of the Father.

We are saved from sin and death, by the merits We are saved from sin and death, by the merits of Jesus Christ.of Jesus Christ.

It is a big favor from God that our sin and guilt It is a big favor from God that our sin and guilt are removed from us.are removed from us.

Let us live according to the taste of Christ, not the Let us live according to the taste of Christ, not the taste of Adam and Eve.taste of Adam and Eve.

Gospel reading: Matthew 4,1-11Gospel reading: Matthew 4,1-11Introduction 1 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by

the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.

Entrance of the Devil: 1st temptation 3 The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God,

command that these stones become loaves of bread." 4 He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"

2nd temptation 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the

parapet of the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"

3rd temptation 8 Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all

the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, 9 and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." 10 At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"

Exit of the devil 11 Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

A simple outline!

The focus is on the temptations of Jesus.

Gospel reading: Matthew 4,1-11Gospel reading: Matthew 4,1-11Introduction 1 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit

into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.

Entrance of the Devil: 1st temptation 3 The tempter approached and said to him,

"If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." 4 He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"

2nd temptation 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city,

and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"

3rd temptation 8 Then the devil took him up to a very high

mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, 9 and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." 10 At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"

Exit of the devil 11 Then the devil left him and, behold,

angels came and ministered to him.

CommentaryCommentary In vv.1-2, we are told that Jesus is led In vv.1-2, we are told that Jesus is led

by the Spirit (Holy Spirit), into the by the Spirit (Holy Spirit), into the desert (arid place, without food, in desert (arid place, without food, in contrast to the Garden), to be contrast to the Garden), to be temptedtempted (tested) by the devil (evil (tested) by the devil (evil one).one).

He fasted (not eaten anything or no He fasted (not eaten anything or no full meals) for 40 days and nights full meals) for 40 days and nights (symbolizing the Israelites’ wandering (symbolizing the Israelites’ wandering in the desert for 40 years).in the desert for 40 years).

Jesus gets hungry afterwards.Jesus gets hungry afterwards. TemptationsTemptations come when there is come when there is

hunger.hunger. Why does Matthew place the Why does Matthew place the

temptationstemptations here, not within the here, not within the ministry of Jesus?ministry of Jesus?

According to some interpreters, the According to some interpreters, the temptationstemptations are placed right before are placed right before his ministry to tell us his method of his ministry to tell us his method of evangelization.evangelization.

Will he gain people to God by Will he gain people to God by satisfying the craving and appetite for satisfying the craving and appetite for worldly values (money, power and worldly values (money, power and prestige)?prestige)?

Gospel reading: Matthew 4,1-11Gospel reading: Matthew 4,1-11Introduction 1 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit

into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.

Entrance of the Devil: 1st temptation 3 The tempter approached and said to him,

"If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." 4 He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"

2nd temptation 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city,

and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"

3rd temptation 8 Then the devil took him up to a very high

mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, 9 and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." 10 At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"

Exit of the devil 11 Then the devil left him and, behold,

angels came and ministered to him.

In v.3, the devil is identified In v.3, the devil is identified as the as the temptertempter..

The The temptertempter is subtle. He starts by is subtle. He starts by saying, “If you are the son of God…”saying, “If you are the son of God…”

Wow, but did not God tell us during Wow, but did not God tell us during Jesus’ baptism that he is the son of Jesus’ baptism that he is the son of God?God?

And here comes the devil to confuse And here comes the devil to confuse him and make him doubt that he is. The him and make him doubt that he is. The devil puts him into a crisis (identity devil puts him into a crisis (identity crisis).crisis).

The The testtest is a matter of whom to listen is a matter of whom to listen to: God or the devil.to: God or the devil.

In v. 3 the devil says: command these In v. 3 the devil says: command these stones to become bread. stones to become bread.

Jesus does not listen. He listens to God Jesus does not listen. He listens to God speaking through the scriptures: “One speaking through the scriptures: “One does not live by bread alone…” v.4 (Dt does not live by bread alone…” v.4 (Dt 8,3). 8,3).

This is the response of God when the This is the response of God when the Israelites complain there is no food in Israelites complain there is no food in the desert.the desert.

Hunger should dispose this people to Hunger should dispose this people to listen to the Word of God.listen to the Word of God.

Gospel reading: Matthew 4,1-11Gospel reading: Matthew 4,1-11Introduction 1 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit

into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.

Entrance of the Devil: 1st temptation 3 The tempter approached and said to him,

"If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." 4 He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"

2nd temptation 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city,

and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"

3rd temptation 8 Then the devil took him up to a very high

mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, 9 and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." 10 At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"

Exit of the devil 11 Then the devil left him and, behold,

angels came and ministered to him.

In vv.5-6, the devil commands: In vv.5-6, the devil commands: “throw yourself…” he also “throw yourself…” he also quotes the bible (Ps 91,12). quotes the bible (Ps 91,12). How dare him! He shamelessly How dare him! He shamelessly quotes the bible as if he is quotes the bible as if he is listening to God.listening to God.

Jesus does not listen. He listens Jesus does not listen. He listens to God speaking through the to God speaking through the scriptures: You shall not put the scriptures: You shall not put the Lord to the test.” v.7 (Dt 6,13)Lord to the test.” v.7 (Dt 6,13)

In vv.8-9, the devil says, “I will In vv.8-9, the devil says, “I will give you these kingdoms, if you give you these kingdoms, if you worship me…”worship me…”

Jesus does not listen. He listens Jesus does not listen. He listens to God speaking through the to God speaking through the scriptures: You shall worship the scriptures: You shall worship the Lord your God…” v.10Lord your God…” v.10

V.11 states the defeat of the V.11 states the defeat of the devil. And come the angels who devil. And come the angels who take care of him.take care of him.

11stst temptation temptationIf you are the son of If you are the son of GodGod

22ndnd temptation temptationIf you are the son of If you are the son of GodGod

33rdrd temptationtemptation

LocationLocation DesertDesert

No man’s landNo man’s land

(alone)(alone)

Holy City = Holy City = JerusalemJerusalem

Place of worship Place of worship (many people)(many people)

High High mountainsmountains

Vantage pointVantage point

(few people)(few people)

Voice of Voice of the Devilthe Devil

(prioritize (prioritize yourself, yourself, your needs)your needs)

Stone into bread Stone into bread (wealth)(wealth)

Satisfy your craving for Satisfy your craving for material things. You material things. You need them for your need them for your campaign.campaign.

Throw yourself Throw yourself down (prestige)down (prestige)

Satisfy your craving Satisfy your craving to be popular (vanity). to be popular (vanity). You need a name for You need a name for people to follow you.people to follow you.

Worship me Worship me (devil)(devil)

(power)(power)

Satisfy your Satisfy your craving for power. craving for power. You can’t make You can’t make people follow you people follow you if you don’t control if you don’t control the army.the army.

Voice of Voice of God God

Not by bread, but Not by bread, but word…word…You need God’s Word, You need God’s Word, not just material food, not just material food, to live with dignity as to live with dignity as children of Godchildren of God

Do not tempt the Do not tempt the Lord…Lord…Don’t presume God Don’t presume God will save you when will save you when you endanger yourself you endanger yourself by doing foolish by doing foolish stunts.stunts.

Worship God Worship God alone…alone…Don’t betray God Don’t betray God to pursue your to pursue your personal ambition.personal ambition.

For your further observation

Jesus does not fall into any of the traps of the devil. It is very tempting, very convenient, but salvation is not cheaply attained.

Following any of them, to prove himself, will spell disaster to his true identity as the Son of God and his mission to spread God’s reign.

Jesus wants to teach us a new paradigm: Listening to the voice of God always. Never listening to the devil and compromise with it.

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading

Jesus is the model on how to handle temptations.Jesus is the model on how to handle temptations. Like Jesus, first of all, we must never doubt our Like Jesus, first of all, we must never doubt our

identity as children of God.identity as children of God. As such, we must act and decide accordingly.As such, we must act and decide accordingly. We must do our mission by following God’s way, We must do our mission by following God’s way,

not the devil’s way.not the devil’s way. We must stand guard against entertaining We must stand guard against entertaining

possibilities of a compromise because of a nice possibilities of a compromise because of a nice promise that comes from an enticing intruder.promise that comes from an enticing intruder.

Once we compromise, give an inch to what Once we compromise, give an inch to what contradicts God, we spell our downfall. contradicts God, we spell our downfall.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The The first readingfirst reading talks about Adam and Eve’s fall talks about Adam and Eve’s fall into temptation.into temptation.

The The psalmpsalm is a prayer for mercy, for those who have is a prayer for mercy, for those who have fallen into temptation.fallen into temptation.

The The second readingsecond reading talks about the triumph of Jesus talks about the triumph of Jesus over sin and death. He does not fall into over sin and death. He does not fall into temptation.temptation.

The The gospel readinggospel reading demonstrates how Jesus demonstrates how Jesus successfully handles the temptations.successfully handles the temptations.

How to develop your homily / sharingHow to develop your homily / sharing

Temptations are here to stay.Temptations are here to stay. As long as we desire a lot of things, we are As long as we desire a lot of things, we are

prone to be tempted.prone to be tempted. And we have more chances of falling into And we have more chances of falling into

sin.sin. The “devil” triggers what is inside us The “devil” triggers what is inside us (our (our

inordinate desires and thoughts).inordinate desires and thoughts).

The The first readingfirst reading demonstrates the innate demonstrates the innate desire of human beings to know and desire of human beings to know and possess everything possess everything ((pakialameropakialamero, gustong malaman ang , gustong malaman ang

lahat; lahat; sakimsakim, gustong angkinin lahat, without limits)., gustong angkinin lahat, without limits). In the process, we lose our innocence and In the process, we lose our innocence and

vitality.vitality. We expose our vulnerability. We expose our vulnerability. We discover that we are not that smart. We discover that we are not that smart. We feel ashamed of ourselves. We feel ashamed of ourselves. What we discover put us into trouble.What we discover put us into trouble.

The The gospel readinggospel reading demonstrates how Jesus demonstrates how Jesus Christ, who is disinterested in wealth, prestige Christ, who is disinterested in wealth, prestige and power and all those garbage, successfully and power and all those garbage, successfully fights against the seductions of the devil.fights against the seductions of the devil.

His only desire is to do the will of God. He His only desire is to do the will of God. He listens to the voice of God.listens to the voice of God.

The voice of God is to establish God’s reign The voice of God is to establish God’s reign by: by: Listening to God’s Word, not by satisfying Listening to God’s Word, not by satisfying

appetitesappetites Living simply and ordinarily, not by trying Living simply and ordinarily, not by trying

to impressto impress Being focused to the one true God, not to Being focused to the one true God, not to

anything bizarreanything bizarre

If we are not formed by the Word of If we are not formed by the Word of God, we easily give in to any God, we easily give in to any temptation.temptation.

We have no qualms about committing We have no qualms about committing injustices, crimes, blunders and sin.injustices, crimes, blunders and sin.

The voice of God (God’s Word) serves The voice of God (God’s Word) serves as a reminder for us not to give in to as a reminder for us not to give in to what is evil.what is evil.

The The second readingsecond reading reflects on the reflects on the downfall (sin) of the first parents and ours downfall (sin) of the first parents and ours (1(1stst reading) reading) and the victory of Christ Jesus and the victory of Christ Jesus over the devil over the devil (gospel).(gospel).

Sin leads us to death; Christ brings us Sin leads us to death; Christ brings us back to life.back to life.

Christ overcomes sin, because he never Christ overcomes sin, because he never listens to the devil, nor to himself.listens to the devil, nor to himself.

Besides, he has no worldly desires. He too Besides, he has no worldly desires. He too overcomes death.overcomes death.

How do we handle the temptations To grab power? To steal other’s money? To be showy and ostentatious? To be unfaithful to our loved ones because somebody

else is seducing us? To consume what is more than necessary? To buy what we don’t need? To squander our hard earned money? To use our influence to get what we want?

How do we handle temptations when there is no choice? Jesus’ answer is never compromise with the devil (no to

“kapit sa patalim”) We should not desire anything else but God. We take hold of our identity as children of God. We should decide die as children of God, in God’s loving

hands, not to die in disrepute.

The The eucharisteucharist is the reward for those who resist is the reward for those who resist temptations.temptations.

ItIt is the sacrament that celebrates our victory over is the sacrament that celebrates our victory over evil.evil.

The The eucharisteucharist strengthens us in our fight against strengthens us in our fight against temptations.temptations.

Frequency to the Frequency to the eucharisteucharist assures us of God’s assures us of God’s continued support to our journey to holiness and continued support to our journey to holiness and fullness of life.fullness of life.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace Giant billboardsGiant billboards AdvertisementsAdvertisements Indecent suggestionsIndecent suggestions Compulsive buying, Compulsive buying,

credit cardscredit cards Unlimited access to Unlimited access to

informationinformation ““The public has the The public has the

right to know right to know everything.” everything.” (but the (but the public is not god.)public is not god.)

Eavesdropping, Eavesdropping, snooping, spyingsnooping, spying

Stealing of secretsStealing of secrets Greed (money, Greed (money,

property, power)property, power)

Aware of one’s Aware of one’s limitationslimitations

Listens to the voice of Listens to the voice of God (God’s Word)God (God’s Word)

In control of oneself In control of oneself (not easily seduced)(not easily seduced)

Pure of heartPure of heart Has simple needsHas simple needs Tightly clings to GodTightly clings to God Uncompromising in Uncompromising in

terms of spiritual and terms of spiritual and moral issuesmoral issues

Nourished by God’s Nourished by God’s WordWord

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs

AshesAshes HoseaHosea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrYhNWt03oE&feature=related

Paano Namin MasasabiPaano Namin Masasabi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVN-MThZQ

Ds

For Ash Wednesday (from Sambuhay)For Ash Wednesday (from Sambuhay) http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/22399089/332105447/nam

e/E20110309_AshWednesday_A.pdf