Almost a repeat.
On the first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel told us that the Spirit led Jesus into the desert where He fasted for forty days and was tempted three times by the devil. This second Sunday of Lent, the scripture readings may sound almost the same, but with a little twist.
“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” After fasting for forty days, Jesus was hungry. The devil gave a very logical suggestion. You are hungry, do something about it, eat. But Jesus knew the devil too well. He is not that kind Who would easily give in to the temptation of immediate physical gratification. St Paul, in our second reading today, reminds the Christian converts that the cross of Christ is a scandal to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles. He encourages them to be firm in their faith amidst sufferings. There are those who are enemies of the cross. “Their God is their stomach.” and “Their minds are occupied with earthly things.” We must believe in Jesus Who did not subject Himself to any material things but instead brought all things into subjection to Himself.
“I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” The devil promised to give to Jesus glory and power, what he thought would make Jesus happy. He did not know that what truly makes Jesus happy is to follow the will of His Father. Jesus made it very clear that all shall worship and serve God alone. In the first reading, the book of Genesis says, the Lord God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” The Lord sees through the heart of Abram. He knows what will bring joy to him. And He promised to fulfil it. God makes promises not to tempt us but to make us whole. He will fulfil it in the way He knows will truly make us happy.
“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and ‘with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'” The devil challenged Jesus to put Himself in danger to prove that His Father would really come to save Him from it. The devil wanted to show himself to be on the side of Jesus, even quoting from scriptures. But Jesus knew it was not His time yet. The disciples who were with Jesus during the Transfiguration witnessed His glory. Peter attempted to prevent the inevitable but Jesus knew it was already time. At the right time, the devil actually came back as he saw an opportunity again. But Jesus did it for love, for you and for me.
Blessings
Fr Gilbert
