I have set before you life and death

Listening to the Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.

Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listening to the Word

Matthew 4:1-11

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.

The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, ""All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Reflection

^“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…” (Dt 30:19).

Lent starts with an important step:
1) to RECOGNIZE the death in my life and what is bringing me to death. Therefore, we could ask ourselves these two questions:

What is, in this moment, a sin that is burdening me?
What is the change that I need in my life to live better?

The Philippines Bishop Conferences suggested to have a “Digital Fasting”. We are abusing and becoming addicted to social media. This is a serious SIN to consider in our personal life because it can “distracts our hearts from God.” It is a good proposal from our bishops and the goal it is not only to give something up, but “It is about making room for something better. […] we create time for prayer, reading Scriptures, Eucharistic devotion, works of mercy, and meaningful encounters with others. Fasting redirects attention from self-centered habits to the loving service of others.

2) The goal of this liturgical season is to CHOOSE LIFE, to choose Jesus, so that He can add more life, meaning, peace, wisdom, serenity, different eyes and heart to our existence.

3) This Sunday’s Gospel helps us to understand better what sins are affecting and preventing us in our spiritual and human growth and in fulfilling the plan of God.

Concerning the first temptation, we could ask ourselves: Is prayer relevant to my life? It means: Am I able to give time to connect with God in silence, allowing Him to say a “word” to my heart? Or hardly do I give time to God, because of many things to do and the fear of stopping, and allowing Him to talk?
The second temptation is about expecting God to do something because we behave, we pray, and we go to mass. Maybe in our mind we think these words: “God I try to be faithful to you: how come that these terrible things are happening to me or to my family? What is wrong with you? Sometimes we have the temptation of controlling God and thinking that He does not remember me. Wrong. God is there with you in your difficult personal or family trouble.
The third temptation. It is about to become saviors: I know more than you, I have more power than you: listen to me, follow me, I know the solution and I can help you in your troubles. Jesus refused this invitation of the devil, because he wants to BE COMPANION to us, to build up a relationship of friendship and communion.

Where am I in this moment of this Lenten season 2026?
Help me, Holy Spirit. Sustain me in these 40 days, because I desire deeply one thing: life. The new life in You.
Have a fruitful Journey!