The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

March 9, 2025 -First Sunday of Lent, Luke 4:1-13

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The season of Lent begins with the gospel about the temptations experienced by Jesus in the desert. They are indicators of his human nature. We learn elsewhere that he did not sin, but that does not rule out that he was not tempted to do so. The holy season of Lent has often been referred to as a time when we might deal with harmful or evil tendencies in each of us. Years back, I knew of relatives who gave up consuming alcohol during Lent, likely a move in the right direction for them.

Many of us know the nature of the temptations that Jesus faced. First, he was led to turn stones to bread, an invitation to Jesus to selfishly use his power in the natural world. Next, he was offered earthly social or political power, the power to rule over others. And finally, he was invited to test to power of God by enlisting the help of angels to safely catch him if he jumped off the high reaches of the Temple. Summarizing, dominate nature, dominate others and finally dominate God. Get full control of everything and everyone.

Of course, we know that Jesus walked away from all those temptations. He did not come to us to rule over all (including God), but to serve and respond to the needs of all. And throughout his life, he did exactly that in countless ways, especially in his acceptance of death on the cross. He came to serve, not to rule, to raise us to a better life, not to put us down.

Lent has been called “the annual retreat” of all who are followers of Jesus. It’s a time of assessing not our portfolio or accomplishments, but our thoughts, words and deeds. Are they similar to those Jesus would have? Do we follow the example of Jesus in our family and home life, in our work activities or in the ordinary chores and challenges we face each day?

I wonder these days about what are sources of temptation for us. Certainly, the deluge of enticements and advertisements that come our way via social media and television are major sources of enticement to want what we shouldn’t have, get what we don’t need and even think in ways that are incompatible with the teachings of Jesus.  

While today’s “temptations” don’t come our way in the dramatic form that Jesus experienced in today’s gospel, they are still around us, inviting us to do what’s less virtuous, less responsible and less loving. Lent is the church’s annual remainder that we can always be better followers of Jesus. It’s a season for personal improvement. And we can all use that.

David M. Thomas, PhD