In the desert

The first Sunday of Lent

Today we celebrate the first Sunday in Lent. The Church gives us this special time to reflect on our lives, on our daily choices and in a special way, about our relationship with God. It is a time, when the Church encourages us and gives us the opportunity to change and turn to God, who is our Lord and Master. The three pillars which the Church proposes to help us achieve this change, are: prayer, fasting and charity. Prayer helps us to be closer to God and it strengthens our relationship with him. Fasting helps us to increase our virtue of self-control. Self-control helps us to overcome our temptations, it gives us strength to fight what is wrong. Charity brings us closer to others. 

The Gospel of the first Sunday of Lent is always the episode when Jesus goes alone to the wilderness, after he is baptised. There, he fasts from everything, except prayer. At the end of the forty days, Jesus is tempted by the devil. Today’s reading gives us courage. It is not such a big thing that we are tempted, since even Jesus was also tempted! We have this reading at the beginning of Lent, so that it gives us hope, that even we can overcome our temptations. How did Jesus overcome temptation? First, he goes to the wilderness to be on his own and pray. So Jesus found strength in prayer. For every temptation, Jesus replied by quoting Scripture. This is the reason why it is important for us to know the Word of God. In fact, we find it written in Scripture itself, in various instances, for example, Psalm 119, 105, says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul likens the Word of God to a sword, and says, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” (Eph 6, 17). In the letter of James, we find, “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you,” (James 1, 21).

The replies of Jesus, teach us that we are to trust in God’s providence. God gives us all that we need. He also reminds us of the commandments that God is our Lord and we should not have other gods in our lives. We also believe that God is faithful to his promises. We need to learn to trust God in all circumstances. 

Today’s Gospel ends with the words, “the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.” This shows that Jesus was not only tempted this one time. Even we are tempted on various occasions; we find that we overcome one temptation, and we are soon faced with another. This is the devil’s work, to find out our weaknesses and tempt us with them.

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 6: 39-45)

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written 

            You shall worship the Lord, your God,  and him alone shall you serve.”
Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written:
            He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,
 and:
            With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. Jesus goes to the wilderness. In the biblical context, the wilderness is the place where to meet God, it is far from people and activities which distract you from giving God all your attention. During lent, make time, so that everyday you meet with the Lord.
  4. Temptation is that which wants to control our life, it is the word of the devil, who wants to be lord of our lives. What are your greatest temptations? How do you try to overcome them? When we pray the Our Father, we ask God to lead us away from temptation. Try to say the Our Father, every time you feel that you are being tempted. 
  5. At one time or another, we will fall to temptation. We do not need to give up. Jesus gave us the sacrament of confession: the sacrament of love, forgiveness and healing. During lent go for confession. It would be good to go together as a family. 
  6. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare.
    i. The Bible reading from Saint Luke (4, 1-13)
    ii. A candle
    iii. Crucifix
    iv. Cover the table with a violet clot
    v. A stone and san
    vi. A computer/laptop with the readings and clips
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊 

Did you notice anything different in church? Usually, the priest wears green. Today he was wearing violet. This is the colour used during Lent. Lent is the special time we are living now. Lent is forty days long! Lent is long enough so that we try and learn how to make good choices. Do you know that Jesus was tempted to make bad choices? Let us listen to today’s Gospel and see how Jesus replied to these temptations.

  • Jesus was tempted to make bad choices, however he never did
  • Jesus helps us to say ‘NO’ to wrong choices
  • A pebble
  • Permanent marker
  • Varnish paint
  • Paint brush 

After Jesus had spent forty days in the wilderness, alone and without eating anything, the devil tempted him. Since Jesus was hungry, the first thing the devil asked him to do, was to turn the stones into bread, so that he could eat. Jesus did not want to do this. Then, the devil tempted Jesus and showed him how he could be famous and powerful. However, Jesus did not want to do what the devil asked him to do. In the end, he asked him to do something great, so that everyone will know that he was the Son of God. Jesus knew that this was not the way that God wanted the people to get to know him, so again, Jesus said ‘no’. The devil wanted Jesus to do three things which would distance him from God the Father. Jesus said ‘no’ each time, because he loved God a great deal. 

Do you think it was easy for Jesus to say ‘no’ to the devil?

Jesus was tempted to make wrong choices, however, since Jesus loved God and he trusted him, he did not want to obey the devil, he wanted to obey God.

Even you are tempted to make wrong choices.

These are some of the temptations you may have:

  • To lie, so that you may not receive the punishment you deserve
  • You do not obey your parents, grandparents or teachers, and continue doing whatever you are doing, instead of what they tell you to do
  • Fight with your brothers or sisters or with your friends, because you want to win a game
  • You take something which is not yours, because you like it and you do not have one
  • You get angry and even stamp your feet when your parents do not give you what you ask for

Can you mention other temptations?

Today, Jesus is telling us that when we ask for his help, he will help us to make good choices. Every time we say ‘no’ to a wrong choice, we will be saying ‘no’ to the devil, just like Jesus did! When we say ‘no’ to the devil, we will be telling God that we love him.

To remember to ‘say’ no to the devil, today you are going to write a big ‘NO’ on the pebble you have. Afterwards, with the help of your parents or another adult, you will varnish it. Let it dry. Then put this pebble on your prayer table so that it reminds you that to love God, you need to say ‘no’ to wrong choices.

Whilst doing this activity, listen to, I say no to sins.

Sign of the cross.

Lord God, I want to love you, in the same way that Jesus loves you. I want to say ‘no’ to wrong choices. I want to obey you. I do not want to obey the devil. You know that it is not always easy to say ‘no’. Help me to do what you want and not do things which do not please you. Lord God, fill my heart with love for others. I pray this, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is a special time for us Christians because the Church reminds us to reflect on the way we are living and invites us to change so that we may become more like Jesus. 

In today’s Gospel, we will listen to the time when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Jesus was tempted to do things which would distance him from God. Let us listen to how Jesus replied to these temptations. 

  • Although Jesus was tempted to make wrong choices, the bond of love between Him and God the Father, proves itself superior to any temptation
  • The more we resemble Jesus, the more we will keep away from sin
  • A packet of sweets, which the children like
  • Printout of today’s activity
  • Pencil 
PrintoutDownload

Today we heard how Jesus was tempted by the devil. What is temptation?

Can you see these sweets? Do you like them? What would you like to do?

You would like to eat them. If I told you that you cannot touch them, that you cannot eat them, and I left the room, what would you do?

Most probably you would be tempted to take at least one sweet!

Temptation on its own is not wrong; we sin, when we actually do what we are being tempted to do. Therefore, if you did not take any sweets, even though you were tempted to take, you did nothing wrong. In fact, you showed that you were strong enough to say ‘no’.

What did Jesus do when he was tempted by the devil?

He said ‘no’, and in replying he quoted the Bible, that is, he replied by using the words of God, and what God wanted him to do. 

The devil tempts us. He is glad when we make wrong choices, when we sin. However, Jesus promised us that he is with us, he promised that when we ask him, he would help us to say ‘no’ to the devil. 

Jesus did not obey the devil, the bond of love between Him and God the Father, proves itself superior to any temptation. In the wilderness, Jesus prayed and stood united with God the Father. During lent we try to become more like Jesus. Therefore, one of the things we will do is to pray more.

How can we increase our prayer time?

We can pray: when we wake up, before going to sleep, before and after meals, before going to school and before starting our homework.

We can go to mass during the week, and not only on Sundays

When we pass from near a church, we enter and spend time with Jesus

We can read the Bible, so that like Jesus, we will know what God wants from us.

We will become more like Jesus, when we love others. During lent, the Church invites us to make sacrifices and to be charitable. Many, for example, give up chocolate during lent, or during some of the days of lent. It is right to be able to say ‘no’ to chocolate. However, we can do even better. Instead of mummy buying us chocolate, she can give us the money, and we give this to charity. At catechism or at school, most probably you will have a moneybox for lent. Put this money in this moneybox.

What other sacrifices can you do?

These are a few examples:

I read the Bible instead of playing

I visit my grandparents, who live on their own, even though I do not feel like it

I help with the chores, without being asked

How can you love others?

I help without grumbling

I play fair

I give money from my pocket money for poor and needy children.

Lent lasts for forty days. Start from this week and make a card with your promises to Jesus, and list in this card, what you will do, to become more like him. On this card, you will write:

How during the coming week, you will pray more

What sacrifices you will make during this week

How during the coming week, you will love more

You will find an example of the card you are to make, in this week’s activity. Every member of the family can make a card. Put these cards, where you will see them and at the end of the week, discuss the things you managed to do. Remember, that although you will make a card for each week, with different promises, continue doing some of the promises you made during the previous weeks, since these help you to become more like Jesus. If you wish, you can make all the cards at one go. During lent, you will need six cards in all.

Sign of the cross.

Lord God, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days, to be closer to you. Help us so that during Lent, we increase our prayer time, so that we too are closer to you. Help us to love others more and to help them, since even in this way we will be moving close to you. Thank you for your help, love and mercy. Amen.
To show God, that like Jesus, you trust in him, in all that you do, sing, I’m trusting you.

Coming soon.

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.