Taking Our Hearts to the Lord – A Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent

The three temptations and the forty days’ fast of Jesus are set in a wilderness, and they recall the forty years of Israel’s testing in the wilderness.
  

Unlike the Israelites, who were not always faithful to God, Jesus completed the time of His testing, by remaining true to his vocation as Son of God.

Like the Israelite or like Jesus, temptation or trials can confront anyone of us in various ways and at  different times. It could be  a sudden battle with cancer, a heart attack, broken relationships, the loss of a loved one, starvation, financial or marital collapse. The list goes on and on.

Why me?  Has God abandoned me? Some of us often exclaim these questions when we are faced with trials.

I say to you, if God allows it, then He can bring us out, because His plan for us is for good… (Jeremiah. 29:11).

The good news is that we will never be tempted above what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Thus, no matter how hard your predicament may be, cry to God this season of Lent with praying and fasting. He who rescued the Israelite from her bondage will surely liberate you.

Fr. Peter Okpetu, Missionary Society of St. Paul, CC Cavan