First Sunday of Lent 2025 – Jesus’ Temptation

The Gospel tells us Jesus was tempted by the devil. To be fair, temptations do not come only from the devil. They also arise from within us.

St. James in this letter writes, Temptation comes from our desires, which entice us and lead us to sinful actions. One of the biggest temptations that we have is the urge that when we want something, we want it now. I want that, but I want it now.

I want this, but I want it now. Sometimes this happens to us in prayer. Lord, give me what I’m asking You now.

I don’t want to wait. Give it to me now. I want it now.

Then when we don’t get it, we become disappointed, frustrated, and angry. We get angry at God. We see this in the Gospel.

You are hungry? Said the devil to Jesus, Turn this stone into bread. Problem solved. The devil said, Come on, I will show you some nice things.

You want them? I will give them to you now. But Jesus was so focused on His end goal, on His purpose and mission, He resisted these temporary, passing, short-term temptations by the devil. He was always looking at His Father’s face.

Reading 1, Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Gospel, Luke 4:1-13
Reading 2, Romans 10:8-13