Prayer

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians

of all the lands across Sandhurst. 

We pay our respect to elders, past, present and future.

They hold the story, hope and dreaming for all.

We affirm the wisdom of this ancient culture.

It reminds us that God’s Word is part of the whole of creation. 

This message celebrates reconciliation with God, creation and all people.

May we continue to walk the message of 

love, joy, peace and reconciliation.

Celebrating the Word of God

A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew (4:1-11)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do 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 splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Spiritual Reflection

There is something comforting in knowing that Jesus, fully human yet the son of God, was tempted just like us. We are all tempted, especially when we are feeling weak or vulnerable.

What are you tempted by? Power, wealth, vices, ego? Matthew’s Gospel reading reminds us that the devil continues to tempt us today and that evil does exist. Jesus found strength and solace in scripture when tempted. We are invited to encounter God in scripture and to seek God in the solitude of a silent place. 

God will never abandon us, but we must trust that God’s timing and ways may not always align with ours. May this Lenten time remind us that Jesus’ journey to Calvary was a difficult one but always accompanied by the Father, the same loving God who walks with us today.

Gospel Reflection