Gospel for the day - 1st Sunday of Lent - Year A

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted.


At that time: Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.


And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’


Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the Temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’


Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” ’ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week.

Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts. If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com




Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


Listening to today's gospel, we might be inclined to relegate Jesus to the realm of heroes out of our league since he faces down temptations that are far removed from our ordinary lives: severe hunger, standing at the top of the Temple, having all the kingdoms of the world at our feet. The point is that he is called by the Spirit and is being tempted to get side-tracked from that call, in this case by being offered self-gratification, power and material wealth.


Now, these are temptations that play out in a very real way in our lives. What are the "demons" that we may have been worshipping, inadvertently? As we begin Lent as a time of new growth and renewal, the physical fasting will only bear fruit if we also examine what is stopping us from following our own call by the Spirit, in our personal encounters and in our responsibility towards the most vulnerable and our planet.


The good news is that Jesus is indeed the greatest hero of all who has not only wrought our salvation but is ready to accompany us faithfully through every ordinary day towards the Resurrection, both in our efforts and our inevitable failings. 


1. What are the "false gods" in your life that are distracting you from a more meaningful and loving life as a disciple of Jesus? 

2. What helpful advice could you offer someone faced with a temptation?*




 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession


As we enter the holy season of Lent we pray for Pope Leo as he guides the church and shines the light of the gospel in international relations. And that we all will heed his Lenten message to abstain from harsh words and rash judgement of our neighbour and so more closely follow in the footsteps of Jesus this Lent.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


We pray that the spirit of God will speak into the hearts of world leaders to bring peace and justice in their countries and wider world, and trust in the transforming power of God to overcome fear with compassion. We remember those suffering from physical and political violence in so many places in our world, especially Gaza and the Holy Land, Sudan and Ukraine.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


For our young people, that they will be inspired by role models of hope, to find love, belonging and true freedom to be the person God has created them to be. For their families, friends and communities that they will be granted wisdom to enable our next generation to have life in all its fullness.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


As Jesus entered the wilderness, trusting in his Father and in his Word, may we seek to trust In God’s promises when facing our own temptations and difficulties. May we be bearers of hope in a world convulsed by war, degraded environments and poverty. Lord, please guide us to make life-giving choices this Lent.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


We bring before our Lord and our Lady those who are unwell in mind, body or spirit, that they and those who care for them will know God’s peace and strength especially as they await surgery or test results. We remember especially those named by the Prayer Foundation.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

For those in our parishes, communities and families who have passed away recently and those whose anniversaries are at this time, that they will rest in peace in the love of God. We ask that their loved ones be comforted by God’s Holy Spirit. We remember especially Carmelina McGregor, Miroslawa Kruczynska and Irene Turnbull


We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.



Cluster prayer

Lord continue to bless our community in this time of transition.

Help us on our journey to grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church.
Give us the courage to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.

Kindle in us the fire of your love that all who come here will find joy, peace and love.

Make this a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.

AMEN

Preparing for next week - 2nd Sunday of Lent

Matthew 17:1-9
‘His face shone like the sun.’

At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’ And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one, but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, ‘Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary



Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Today's gospel feels very different. Jesus takes three of his apostles to the top of a mountain where they are joined by Moses and Elijah. It is a surreal event. The Transfiguration appears to be a further stage in the process that the apostles are undertaking and which we also need to undertake. We have heard of the Ten Commandments where humanity was given a set of simple external rules, then Jesus in his ministry updated such rules with examples taught in parables and sermons. Now the apostles witness Jesus in all his glory, he is transfigured, and the apostles see his purity and goodness made plain. Transfiguration means to change and to fulfill the goodness that Jesus knows we are all capable of. To do this the apostles are told by God to (just) listen. Many of us find it very difficult to sit silently and listen, our heads are full of distraction. Our daily lives are full of distraction as well, and we are often on automatic pilot as we work our way through a timetable of tasks. Here Jesus takes the apostles away from the trouble and strife of this world to enable God to influence their thoughts. Perhaps the lesson of the Transfiguration is that we, like the apostles, need to withdraw and take time to really listen through silence, prayer, meditation. To really listen is hard, it is perhaps the difference between hearing the presenting problem only and how to deal with it rather than relieving the problem and ensuring it doesn't persist. The first action is good and necessary. The secondary reflection goes deeper. To be transfigured we need to go deeper. 

 

Q1. How might you live to fulfill the goodness that Jesus knows you are capable of, to let your goodness shine?

Q2. How do you allow yourself to be transfigured?

Q3. What difference does your faith in Jesus Christ make in your life?*



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center