{"id":1771,"date":"2016-02-14T12:48:48","date_gmt":"2016-02-14T17:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/?p=1771"},"modified":"2016-02-14T12:48:48","modified_gmt":"2016-02-14T17:48:48","slug":"1st-sunday-in-lent-year-c-homily","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.renewaloffaith.org\/blog\/1st-sunday-in-lent-year-c-homily\/","title":{"rendered":"1st Sunday in Lent, Year C – Homily"},"content":{"rendered":"

1st<\/sup> Sunday of Lent, Year C<\/a>
\nDeuteronomy 26:4-10
\nPsalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
\nRomans 10:8-13
\nLuke 4:1-13
\nFebruary 14, 2016<\/p>\n

Every time we come to Mass, we pray the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\u00a0 We pray it with the rosary.\u00a0 It is used in the Liturgy of the Hours and other devotions.\u00a0 Every time we pray it, we say \u201cand lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

When we go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and say our Act of Contrition, it includes our promise to avoid what leads us to sin.<\/p>\n

We need <\/em>to be do whatever we can to avoid temptation, meaning that which leads us to sin, because when we allow ourselves to be tempted, we often sin.<\/p>\n

So we need<\/em> to avoid temptation.\u00a0 With that in mind, we here of Jesus\u2019 own temptation.\u00a0 In his case, he didn\u2019t just happen to come against temptation.\u00a0 No, the gospel is explicit in saying Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted.<\/p>\n

Of course, Jesus is able to resist the temptation and powerful temptations they are.\u00a0 Jesus had been fasting for forty days and so he was hungry.\u00a0 It might seem entirely reasonable for him to listen to the devil and change the stones into bread but he doesn\u2019t because he realizes there are more important things than bread.<\/p>\n

Now, we need to eat but is eating more important to us than God?\u00a0 When we do eat, do we limit it to what we need or do we eat like gluttons?\u00a0 If we eat like gluttons, do we take away from others what they need?\u00a0 If we eat like gluttons, what do we have left to give to God?\u00a0 I know I need to work on better eating habits (I didn\u2019t to be the shape I am by fasting!).<\/p>\n

When the Israelites were in slavery they cried to God, God saw their affliction, and gave them a land flowing with milk and honey.\u00a0 We need to remember to gift our firstfruits to God, placing our trust in him.<\/p>\n

Next, the devil tried to tempt Jesus with power and glory.\u00a0 Jesus does not give in to worship the devil.\u00a0 How tempted are we by power and glory?\u00a0 Think about work.\u00a0 How far have you gone to get a promotion or to make yourself look good?\u00a0 Sometimes, we say once we get the promotion and pay we need, we will do better.\u00a0 Do we?\u00a0 Sometimes it isn\u2019t about pay or pride.\u00a0 For me, sometimes I just want to get everything done.\u00a0 I try too hard and I get grumpy.\u00a0 We need to learn to be satisfied.<\/p>\n

Then, the devil tries to tempt Jesus by telling him to jump off the wall and God will protect him.\u00a0 Jesus doesn\u2019t but do we?\u00a0 This isn\u2019t just about literally jumping off a wall.\u00a0 How often do we go out and do whatever we what and when things go bad, expect God to rescue us?\u00a0 When we do so, are we putting God to the test?<\/p>\n

We are to count on the Lord, right?\u00a0 After all, the verse we all sang with the psalm, said \u201cBe with me, Lord, when I am in trouble<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 We are to turn to the Lord in our troubles to \u201cdwell in the shelter of the Most High<\/em>\u201d and to see the Lord as our refuge<\/em> and the one in \u201cwhom I trust<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

When we face temptation, we must turn to God.\u00a0 Yet, it is not just when things are bad that we should turn to God.\u00a0 We need to turn to God in all things, being thankful for the abundance of grace God gives us.<\/p>\n

In the psalm we also here the Lord say \u201cBecause he clings to me, I will deliver him… He shall call upon me, and I will answer him<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 This might lead us to the idea that if we just believe in Jesus, nothing bad will happen.<\/p>\n

After all, doesn\u2019t the psalm also say \u201cNo evil shall befall you, nor affliction come near your tent<\/em>\u201d?\u00a0 Then why does evil come our way?\u00a0 Why do we face affliction?<\/p>\n

I can think of a couple of ways to look at this.\u00a0 First, when we face affliction, sometimes it is because of our own actions.\u00a0 My mother would ask why she suffered with emphysema the last ten years of her life and died with cancer.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because she smoked for 30 years.\u00a0 Our actions have consequences.\u00a0 They can cause afflictions.<\/p>\n

Looking at things from another perspective, sometimes when I have a bad day, it\u2019s because I\u2019ve lost focus on God or others want something other than what God directs us to.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, I have to admit that there are times when we seem to face affliction for no reason.\u00a0 Sometimes it is because of the actions of others.\u00a0 Sometimes we have no idea why the affliction comes our way.<\/p>\n

This is when we need to remember that God has commanded the angels to guard us in all our ways.\u00a0 No matter what affliction we face in live, God always walks with us and wants to strengthen us.<\/p>\n

The challenge is to be aware of God\u2019s presence.\u00a0 That means avoiding sin and temptation that keep us from knowing God.\u00a0 It means praying in quiet solitude to give God a chance to speak.\u00a0 It means praying to Mass not just when we are in trouble.\u00a0 We need to come to Mass every week to hear God\u2019s Word to guide us and to receive the Eucharist to strengthen us.<\/p>\n

The Mass truly is a source of God\u2019s guidance and strength for us.\u00a0 The challenge is to open ourselves to what is offered.\u00a0 That\u2019s why it is still is the teaching of our church that we need to come to Mass every week.\u00a0 It is also why we offer Mass not just for Sunday but every day.\u00a0 We need the Lord.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1st Sunday of Lent, Year C Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 Romans 10:8-13 Luke 4:1-13 February 14, 2016 Every time we come to Mass, we pray the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\u00a0 We pray it with the rosary.\u00a0 It is used in the Liturgy of the Hours and other devotions.\u00a0 Every time we pray it, we …<\/p>\n

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