First Sunday of Lent
Also Read: Mass Readings for 09 March 2025 Sunday Reflection by Maryanne – 09 March 2025
Deuteronomy 26: 4-10
Moses gives us a powerful recap of the history of God’s people up to that point in the story. It is an important use of the concept of Divine Providence in that he presents the events of history from God’s perspective. This assumption is present throughout the biblical narrative because it teaches us something about God, that He cares for his people, and about us, that our difficulties can be understood in light of a much bigger picture.
Psalms 91: 1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
There is some foreshadowing in this Psalm when it comes to the care God provides for his chosen one. Like the other temptations, the Devil will use this Scripture verse by twisting it in order to bring Jesus to sin. It is an important lesson on the sin of presumption, which is a rejection of God’s grace by seeing it as an entitlement and not as a gift.
Romans 10: 8-13
It is important early in the season of Lent to be reminded of what it is all for, which is the Resurrection of Jesus. If Ash Wednesday reminds us of a need for a Savior, then this first Sunday is already trying to point us to how that salvation was brought about. This is the faith that brings one to greater worship and it is the faith that sustains one during the trials of a rigorous Lent.
Luke 4: 1-13
It is noteworthy that it is the Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness to be tested. Many are scandalized by the “lead us not into temptation” line of the Our Father as well there is some malicious motive on God’s part. Even if we question God’s love for us, it would be hard to question God’s love for Jesus, yet he is still led to temptation. This testing is actually good for Jesus and it is good for us too. We have to always keep God’s abundant mercy in mind. Testing us is a comment on our great dignity that there is something good within us we can show. That good is God’s grace.
