Catholic Identity
A Moment in Prayer
As we embark on this Lenten journey, embracing the theme of "Pilgrims of Hope," let us pray:
Loving God,
As we journey through Lent as pilgrims of hope,
guide our steps and open our hearts.
May we walk in faith,
embracing the hope of new beginnings.
Strengthen our resolve to care for others,
and inspire us to act with compassion.
Through our actions, may we spread Your love,
transforming hurt into hope.
We ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
First Sunday of Lent
Gospel Reading Luke 4: 1-13
Jesus Tested in the Wilderness
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “It is said: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
About the Story
In this passage from Luke, Jesus is in the wilderness for forty days, where he faces temptations from the devil. The devil tries to get Jesus to use his power for personal gain and to prove his divine nature. Each time, Jesus responds with scripture, showing that he will not give in to temptation. This story is important because it shows Jesus' humanity—he is hungry, tired, and vulnerable, just like us—but he also shows us how to resist temptation and trust in God's word. The wilderness is symbolic of a time of testing, and the way Jesus responds teaches us how to rely on God's strength, especially when we face challenges.
Something to Think About
During Lent, we are invited to reflect on the ways we are tempted in our own lives and how we can grow closer to God. Like Jesus, we face struggles and moments where we might be tempted to choose easier or more selfish paths. However, Jesus' time in the wilderness reminds us that we can resist these temptations by staying connected to God’s word and relying on his strength. This season of Lent is a time for self-examination and growth, where we can make room for God to help us become stronger in our faith. What temptations do you face, and how can you turn to God for help to overcome them? How can we use Lent as a time to grow in trust, prayer, and self-discipline, just as Jesus did?
5 things you can do to grow closer to God this Lent as a family
- Pray Together Every Day – Say a short prayer in the morning or before bed.
- Read a Bible Story – Pick a short story from the Bible and talk about it.
- Give Up Something – Choose one thing to stop doing (like eating sweets or watching too much TV).
- Help Someone – Do something kind for a friend.
- Say Thank You to God – Every day, name one thing you are thankful for.
Prayer for Pope Francis
