Today, we begin on our Lenten journey, a sacred season of reflection and renewal. The Gospel invites us to meditate on Jesus’ experience in the desert. After his baptism in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit leads him into the wilderness, where he spends forty days in fasting and prayer. There, the devil appears, tempting him three times: to turn stones into bread, to rule the world, and to jump from the temple, demanding angels save him. Each time, Jesus resists, choosing trust in God’s Word over the devil’s deceit. His victory over temptation becomes a model for us as we face our own struggles.
Lent is often seen as a season of penance, but at its core, it is an invitation to encounter God’s love more deeply. In the desert, the Israelites learned to trust in God’s providence. Moses fasted for forty days before receiving the Law. Elijah journeyed through the wilderness to encounter God in the silence of a gentle whisper. Lent calls us to walk a similar path – not out of obligation, but as an opportunity to rediscover what truly matters: our relationship with God.
The devil’s temptations reveal the spiritual battles we all face. First, he tempts Jesus with bread – a call to instant gratification, to satisfy hunger without waiting. In our world, we are constantly offered quick fixes – food, entertainment, distractions – to fill the emptiness within. But Lent challenges us to wait, to hunger for something greater. True nourishment comes not from fleeting pleasures, but from the Bread of Life, the Word of God that sustains us. Second, the devil offers power – control, glory, everything the world admires. We, too, are tempted to put ourselves first, to chase success at any cost. But Lent reminds us that true power lies in surrender, in placing God at the center and serving others. Jesus shows us that the way to greatness is through humility and trust in the Father. Finally, the devil tempts Jesus to test God – to demand proof of his love. We, too, can fall into this temptation when we doubt God’s care, expecting him to prove himself on our terms. But faith is not a transaction; it is a relationship built on trust. Lent invites us to deepen that trust, to walk by faith and not by sight.
Lent is not easy, but we are not alone in this journey. The same Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness leads us, too. We are united with the members of the Church from every corner of the earth. Every effort to resist temptation draws us closer to God. The desert is not the end; we are walking toward Easter.
So, let us enter this season with courage. Lent is not about rigid perfection—missing a fast does not ruin it. It is about turning our hearts to God, step by step. Lent invites us to pray more, give more, and thus acquire spiritual blessings. Jesus did not remain in the desert—he emerged victorious, ready to redeem the world. We, too, can emerge from Lent renewed, ready to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection.
To help us in this journey, the Church gives us three essential spiritual tools: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Let us pray by being in God’s presence, listening as much as speaking. Let us fast not only from food but from anything that diminishes God’s grace in our lives – pride, anger, or selfish habits. Let us be generous not only with our material blessings but also with our time, kindness, and presence to those in need. Let us walk this Lenten journey together, trusting that at its end, the light of Easter awaits.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Charthakuzhiyil