At the
beginning of Lent the church places us before an open doorway and invites us to
embark on a journey of spiritual growth. Like Jesus in the wilderness, we are
being into a forty-day period of prayer and fasting, to help us reflect on the
direction our lives are taking. It's an honest and frank attempt by the
church to make us come to terms with the harsh reality of the hard slog for
salvation.
In the desert
Jesus is confronted by the forces of evil on three occasions and is subjected
to severe temptations in the depth of his soul. The devil meets him face to
face and in an effort to turn him away from God's plan of redemption, offers
him false happiness with enticements of security, power and fame. None of these
temptations got the better of him and he emerges victorious but only after a
prolonged struggle. Temptation is a real test and the worst thing about it is
that it is always an attraction. When tired and hungry, it would have been so
easy for Jesus to turn stones into bread but he refused to use his power for
his own comfort and allow his feelings to influence his actions. The
temptations of Christ are those faced by Christians of all ages. They are a
testing of our faith as they force us to make decisions for or against God. As
followers of Christ, we must be ready to stand and be counted as we are
constantly at risk from the evil one. Because Jesus experienced temptation
himself, he understands us in our weaknesses and is there to give us hope and
encouragement.
Lent is a time
for us to get back to basics, to replenish the soil in which our Christian
faith grows by curbing our selfishness and our pride. Pampered by creature
comforts, we fall into the trap of thinking that material things will bring
happiness and so we spend time having our wants and wishes satisfied. The truth
is otherwise. Instead of helping us on the road to heaven, so often they turn
out to be false escapes that lead us into unhappiness and frustration, raising
us up for a great letdown. All of us experience these tendencies within
ourselves, but the gospel states that there is more to life than the
satisfaction of our appetites.
In the desert
our Lord turned his back on all that stood in the way of doing his Father's
will. Lent is a time of quite and purposeful reflection, which helps us to
discover the will of God. Fasting and self-denial, backed up by prayer and alms
giving, keep us growing in friendship with God. Let us make this Lent a time
for beginning all over again by renewing our trust in Jesus who was tempted and
triumphed over the evil one. Our prayer ought to be, ‘Be with me Lord, when I
am in temptation.’
As we recall
the forty days our Lord spent in the desert in conflict with the powers of evil
we ask our heavenly Father to listen to our prayers as we begin our Lenten
journey.
1. For the church throughout the world, especially in those countries undergoing the severe trial of persecution that it may stand firm and never lose heart. Lord, hear us.
2. That this
season will be a time of reconciliation and growth for our community, our
family and our friends. Lord, hear us.
3. For those
undergoing instruction in the faith, that the word of God may engraved in their
hearts. Lord, hear us.
4. For the sick
and the housebound, that they may not lose faith but may they see the goodness
of God in the tender hands of those who care for them. Lord, hear us.
5. We recall our
friends who have gone ahead of us sealed with the sign of the cross and commend
them to God's loving care. Lord hear us.
God our father, we have begun our Lenten journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Stay with us in our trials and temptations and deliver us from the evil one. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.