Posted by The WORD in other words (2017) by Fr Felmar Fiel SVD – Verbum, UPLB, Laguna
1st Sunday of Lent – A
Image source: FB of Parokya ng Poong Jesus Nazareno, Dasmarinas
There is a parody video entitled “The Greatest Action Story Ever Told.” It imagines the Terminator, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, traveling back in time to prevent the death of Jesus. At the Last Supper, knowing Judas would betray the Messiah, the Terminator bursts in and shoots Judas — to everyone’s shock. Jesus, however, restores Judas to life and rebukes the Terminator, explaining that His passion is part of the divine plan. In the end, Jesus is handed over and crucified, and the Terminator consoles Mary with the words: “Don’t worry, he will be back.”
It’s a humorous story, but it highlights something serious: no one can shortcut God’s plan of salvation. Jesus Himself faced temptation in the desert, and He overcame it not with force or shortcuts, but with fidelity to the Father.
On this first Sunday of Lent, we turn to the real story of Jesus’ confrontation with temptation in the desert.
First temptation: “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Hunger is natural, but the devil’s trick was to lure Jesus into following his will rather than the Father’s. True perfection lies in obedience to God.
Second temptation: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” Satan even quoted Scripture to justify this test. Yet Jesus knew that genuine trust in God does not need dramatic proof. To put God to the test is to show a lack of trust in Him.
Third temptation: “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” This was the devil’s false promise of instant glory without suffering. But Jesus rejected the lie, choosing instead the path of fidelity and sacrifice.
These temptations are not confined to the desert; they appear in our daily lives. Satan whispers that immorality, dishonesty, or selfishness will go unnoticed. Beware! He is the master of lies, as he deceived Eve in the first reading, and he seeks to deceive us too.
Lent is a journey of discipleship: denying ourselves, carrying the cross, and following Christ. Let us echo Jesus’ words in the desert: “Away with you, Satan! You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.”
May our Lenten observance strengthen us as sons and daughters of faith, whose witness has long been a beacon of evangelization. Let us draw ever closer to Jesus — not only in thought, but in action — resisting temptation and living as true disciples
One comment