First Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 22
Lectionary: 22
The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground
and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,
and so man became a living being.
and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,
and so man became a living being.
Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east,
and placed there the man whom he had formed.
Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow
that were delightful to look at and good for food,
with the tree of life in the middle of the garden
and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
and placed there the man whom he had formed.
Out of the ground the LORD God made various trees grow
that were delightful to look at and good for food,
with the tree of life in the middle of the garden
and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals
that the LORD God had made.
The serpent asked the woman,
“Did God really tell you not to eat
from any of the trees in the garden?”
The woman answered the serpent:
“We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;
it is only about the fruit of the tree
in the middle of the garden that God said,
‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman:
“You certainly will not die!
No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it
your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods
who know what is good and what is evil.”
The woman saw that the tree was good for food,
pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom.
So she took some of its fruit and ate it;
and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her,
and he ate it.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened,
and they realized that they were naked;
so they sewed fig leaves together
and made loincloths for themselves.
that the LORD God had made.
The serpent asked the woman,
“Did God really tell you not to eat
from any of the trees in the garden?”
The woman answered the serpent:
“We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden;
it is only about the fruit of the tree
in the middle of the garden that God said,
‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman:
“You certainly will not die!
No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it
your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods
who know what is good and what is evil.”
The woman saw that the tree was good for food,
pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom.
So she took some of its fruit and ate it;
and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her,
and he ate it.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened,
and they realized that they were naked;
so they sewed fig leaves together
and made loincloths for themselves.
Responsorial PsalmPS 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17
R. (cf. 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reading 2ROM
5:12-19 OR 5:12, 17-19
Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned—
for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world,
though sin is not accounted when there is no law.
But death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who did not sin
after the pattern of the trespass of Adam,
who is the type of the one who was to come.
But the gift is not like the transgression.
For if by the transgression of the one, the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.
And the gift is not like the result of the one who sinned.
For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation;
but the gift, after many transgressions, brought acquittal.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and of the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act,
acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one,
the many will be made righteous.
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned—
for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world,
though sin is not accounted when there is no law.
But death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who did not sin
after the pattern of the trespass of Adam,
who is the type of the one who was to come.
But the gift is not like the transgression.
For if by the transgression of the one, the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.
And the gift is not like the result of the one who sinned.
For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation;
but the gift, after many transgressions, brought acquittal.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and of the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act,
acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one,
the many will be made righteous.
or
Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and of the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act,
acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one,
the many will be made righteous.
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and of the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act,
acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one,
the many will be made righteous.
Verse Before The GospelMT 4:4B
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
GospelMT 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.”
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.”
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.
angels came and ministered to him.
Meditation:
Jesus
fasted and was tempted by the devil
Are
you ready to follow the Lord Jesus and to go with him wherever he leads you?
Jesus did not choose his own course or path in life, but followed the will of
his Father in heaven. After Jesus' was baptized by John the Baptist at the
River Jordan, he was led by the Spirit of God to withdrew into the wilderness
of Judea - a vast desert wilderness that was mostly uninhabitable and full
of danger. Danger from scorching heat by day and extreme cold at night, danger
from wild animals and scorpions, plus the deprivation of food and scarcity of
water.
Preparing
mind, heart, and will to serve God
Why did Jesus choose such a barren, lonely place for a sustained period of prayer and fasting? Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us in their Gospel accounts that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Mark states it most emphatically: "The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness" (Mark 1:12).
Why did Jesus choose such a barren, lonely place for a sustained period of prayer and fasting? Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us in their Gospel accounts that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Mark states it most emphatically: "The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness" (Mark 1:12).
What
compelled Jesus to seek solitude, away from his family and friends, for such a
lengthy period? Was it simply a test to prepare him for his mission? Or did
Satan want to lure him into a trap? The word tempt in English
usually means to entice someone to do what is wrong or forbidden. The
scriptural word used here also means test in the sense of
proving and assessing someone to see if they are prepared and ready for the
task at hand. We test flight pilots to see if they are fit to fly under all
conditions, including times of adverse turbulence, storms, and poor visibility.
In like manner God tests his people to see if they are ready to follow and
serve him without reservation or compromise.
Keeping
God's word and holding to his promises
On a number of occasions God tested Abraham to prove his faith and to strengthen his hope in the promises that God made to him. Abraham obeyed willingly even when God asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac, the son of promise. When the Israelites were sorely tested in Egypt for more than 400 years of hard labor and persecution, they did not forget God. They kept God's word and remembered his promise to deliver them from oppression and bring them back into their promised homeland.
On a number of occasions God tested Abraham to prove his faith and to strengthen his hope in the promises that God made to him. Abraham obeyed willingly even when God asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac, the son of promise. When the Israelites were sorely tested in Egypt for more than 400 years of hard labor and persecution, they did not forget God. They kept God's word and remembered his promise to deliver them from oppression and bring them back into their promised homeland.
When
God called Moses to free the Israelites from their captivity in Egypt, God led
them into the wilderness to his holy mountain at Sinai. There Moses ascended
the mountain and met with God face to face for 40 days in prayer and fasting
(Exodus 24:18). The prophet Elijah was also led on a 40 day journey to the holy
mountain at Sinai (also called Horeb) to seek the face of God. God sustained
Elijah for his journey with supernatural bread from heaven (1 Kings 19:8).
Jesus'
forty days of testing and preparation
Jesus was no exception to this pattern of testing and preparation for the mission his Father gave him. He was led into the wilderness for 40 days without food and little shelter. He had nothing to sustain himself in this barren wilderness except what the Father would provide for him during his forty days of prayer and fasting. Jesus was left alone in this harsh and austere environment to wrestle with the temptation to seek an easy or comfortable course that would avoid pain and hardship, humiliation and rejection, suffering and death on a cross.
Jesus was no exception to this pattern of testing and preparation for the mission his Father gave him. He was led into the wilderness for 40 days without food and little shelter. He had nothing to sustain himself in this barren wilderness except what the Father would provide for him during his forty days of prayer and fasting. Jesus was left alone in this harsh and austere environment to wrestle with the temptation to seek an easy or comfortable course that would avoid pain and hardship, humiliation and rejection, suffering and death on a cross.
Jesus'
testing in the wilderness was similar to the test which Adam and Eve underwent
when God made them stewards of his creation and sharers in his glory and power.
When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Paradise, he provided them with
everything they needed to live and to fulfill the stewardship entrusted to
them. In giving them the one command to not eat of the fruit of the tree of
knowledge, God tested their love and fidelity (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6).
Why
did they fail to obey this one command of God? They listened to the voice of a
rebel angel, who disguised himself as a very subtle and clever figure of charm
and persuasion.The Scriptures call this tempter by many names, the devil and
Satan (Revelation 12:9), Beelzebub the prince of demons (Luke 11:15, Matthew
12:24), the evil one (Matthew 13:38) and the father of lies (John 8:44). Satan
tempted Adam and Eve with pride and envy to claim equality with God. As a
consequence of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise and
driven into the wilderness.
Jesus
resisted the devil and obeyed the voice of his Father
Jesus now freely enters the wilderness in order to regain Paradise for the lost children of God. Jesus refuses food to show his dependence on the bread of heaven, the word of God, that would sustain him not only in his physical hunger, but in his hour of temptation as well. When Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus replied with the words of Scripture, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (quote from Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4).
Jesus now freely enters the wilderness in order to regain Paradise for the lost children of God. Jesus refuses food to show his dependence on the bread of heaven, the word of God, that would sustain him not only in his physical hunger, but in his hour of temptation as well. When Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus replied with the words of Scripture, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (quote from Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4).
Where
did Jesus find the strength to survive the desert's harsh conditions and the
tempter's seduction? He fed on God's word and found strength in doing his
Father's will. Satan will surely tempt us and he will try his best to get
us to choose our will over God's will. If he can't make us renounce our faith
or sin mortally, he will then try to get us to make choices that will lead us,
little by little, away from what God wants for us.
Strength
from God in resisting temptation
Jesus was tempted like us and he overcame sin not by his own human effort but by the grace and strength which his Father gave to him. He had to renounce his will for the will of his Father. He succeeded because he wanted to please his Father and he trusted that his Father would give him the strength to overcome the obstacles that stood in the way. Luke says that Jesus was "full of the Holy Spirit" (Luke 4:1). When tempted by the devil Jesus did not try to fight his adversary on his own human strength. He relied on the power which the Spirit gave him. Jesus came to overthrow the evil one who held us captive to sin and fear of death (Hebrews 2:14). His obedience to his Father's will and his willingness to embrace the cross reversed the curse of Adam's disobedience. His victory over sin and death won for us not only pardon for our sins but adoption as sons and daughters of God.
Jesus was tempted like us and he overcame sin not by his own human effort but by the grace and strength which his Father gave to him. He had to renounce his will for the will of his Father. He succeeded because he wanted to please his Father and he trusted that his Father would give him the strength to overcome the obstacles that stood in the way. Luke says that Jesus was "full of the Holy Spirit" (Luke 4:1). When tempted by the devil Jesus did not try to fight his adversary on his own human strength. He relied on the power which the Spirit gave him. Jesus came to overthrow the evil one who held us captive to sin and fear of death (Hebrews 2:14). His obedience to his Father's will and his willingness to embrace the cross reversed the curse of Adam's disobedience. His victory over sin and death won for us not only pardon for our sins but adoption as sons and daughters of God.
How
can we overcome sin and gain freedom over our unruly desires and the lies of
Satan and the world? The Lord Jesus gives us his Holy Spirit to help us in our
weakness (Romans 8:26) and to be our guide and consoler in temptation and
testing (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Lord gives grace to the humble who acknowledge
their dependence on him (James 4:6) and he helps us to stand against the lies
and attacks of our enemy, Satan, who seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8-10;
Ephesians 6:10-18). The Lord Jesus is ever ready to pour out his Spirit upon us
that we may have the strength and courage we need to resist sin and to reject
the lies and deceits of Satan. God wants us to "fight the good fight of
the faith" (1 Timothy 6:12) with the power and strength which comes from
the Holy Spirit. Do you rely on the Lord for your strength and help?
"Lord
Jesus, your word is life and joy for me. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I
may have the strength and courage to embrace your will in all things and to
renounce whatever is contrary to it."
A
Daily Quote for Lent: On
the Snare of the Devil, by Ambrose, 339-397 A.D.
"The
devil said to Jesus: 'If you are the son of God, command that these stones
become bread' (Luke 4:3). Here we learn that there are three principal weapons
that the devil likes to carry in order to wound our souls. They are gluttony,
arrogance and ambition. Here begins the weapon with which he has already been
victorious. We likewise should begin to be victorious in Christ in the very
same area in which we have been defeated in Adam - we should be wary of
gluttony. The devious trap is set for us when the table is laid for a royal
banquet - it is bound to weaken our defences.
"See
what weapons Christ uses to defeat the power of the devil. He does not use the
almighty power he has as God - what help would that be to us? In his humanity
he summons the help common to all - overlooking bodily hunger and seeking the
word of God for nourishment.
"Whoever
follows the Word is no longer attached to earthly bread, because he receives
the bread of heaven and knows the divine is better than the human, the
spiritual is better than the physical. Therefore, because such a person desires
the true life, he looks for that which fortifies the heart by means of its
invisible substance." (excerpt from On the Gospel of St.
Luke, 4, 17)
FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, MATTHEW 4:1-11
(Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Psalm 51; Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19)
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, MATTHEW 4:1-11
(Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Psalm 51; Romans 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19)
KEY VERSE: "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil" (v. 1).
TO KNOW: The Church offers us these forty days of Lent as an opportunity to overcome sin in our lives, and to prepare ourselves for Christ's triumph over evil through his glorious resurrection. Following his baptism, Jesus spent forty days in the desert. The Israelites were tested for forty years in the wilderness and failed, whereas Jesus proved his faithfulness on his forty day desert sojourn. In contrast to the disobedience of God's people, Jesus rejected every temptation to earthly power. The ways of the world were not the ways of Jesus. He defeated Satan's distorted use of God's word by quoting from the book of Deuteronomy that retold the story of Israel's desert wanderings. Matthew wrote, “The devil left Jesus for a time” (Mt 4:11), but those temptations keep coming back to those who follow Jesus. As disciples, we have to try to be a community that rejects the so-called wisdom of the world and humbly follow Jesus as his disciples.
TO LOVE: What will help me overcome temptations during this season of Lent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, I rededicate myself to you this Lent.
RITE OF ELECTION
The Rite of Election usually takes place on or about the First Sunday of Lent. The names of those who will soon celebrate the sacraments of initiation are announced and those who are named will celebrate baptism, confirmation, and first communion at their parishes during the following Easter Vigil. Usually the rite takes place at the cathedral with the bishop. The individuals enter the cathedral as "catechumens" and leave as "elect." "Election" refers to the idea of "the chosen people." In Israel’s early history, God chose a people and established a covenant with them. Christians believe that God continues to choose people, now through the covenant of baptism. The key moments of the rite are the affirmation by the godparents testifying that the catechumens are worthy to be initiated. (The entire assembly may also join the affirmation.) Next the bishop invites the catechumens to sign the book of the elect. In some dioceses, this action has already taken place in parishes during the Rite of Sending, and the books are presented at this point. Finally, during the act of election, the bishop declares that the catechumens are members of the elect, to be initiated at the next Easter Vigil. There is another optional rite of sending for those previously baptized in other ecclesial communities who are preparing for the rite of reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.
Sunday 1 March 2020
Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned –
Psalm 50(51):3-6, 12-14, 17. Romans 5:12-19. Matthew 4:1-11.
The temptation in the wilderness
Human beings live not on bread alone. Exotic,
expensive restaurants, wine tasting and dinners with matching wines
proliferate. Cooking shows top TV ratings. Food can be an obsession for some,
while others struggle to provide meals for their families, and people go
hungry.
Do not put the Lord your God to the test. There have
been so many deaths on Mount Everest. A seemingly endless line of climbers
ascending the mountain, and walking past frozen corpses, shocked viewers.
Walkers are lost in bushland or alpine areas, sailors are shipwrecked, often
without location devices.
‘The Lord your God . . . Him alone you must serve’. ‘I
am the Kings’s good servant, but God’s first’. This was St Thomas More’s clear
choice. Obsession with amassing fortunes, honours, status and power are more
subtle forms of idolatry. Jesus, the evil spirit lacks creativity. He keeps
using the same tactics and they work.
Saint David of Wales
Saint of the Day for March 1
(d. March 1, 589)
 |
| Stained glass of Saint David of Wales | All Saints Episcopal Church, San Francisco, CA | photo by AJ Alfieri-Crispin |
Saint David of Wales’ Story
David is the patron saint of Wales and perhaps the most famous
of British saints. Ironically, we have little reliable information about him.
It is known that he became a priest, engaged in missionary work,
and founded many monasteries, including his principal abbey in southwestern
Wales. Many stories and legends sprang up about David and his Welsh monks.
Their austerity was extreme. They worked in silence without the help of animals
to till the soil. Their food was limited to bread, vegetables and water.
In about the year 550, David attended a synod where his
eloquence impressed his fellow monks to such a degree that he was elected
primate of the region. The episcopal see was moved to Mynyw, where he had his
monastery, now called St. David’s. He ruled his diocese until he had reached a
very old age. His last words to his monks and subjects were: “Be joyful,
brothers and sisters. Keep your faith, and do the little things that you have
seen and heard with me.”
Saint David is pictured standing on a mound with a dove on
his shoulder. The legend is that once while he was preaching a dove descended
to his shoulder and the earth rose to lift him high above the people so that he
could be heard. Over 50 churches in South Wales were dedicated to him in
pre-Reformation days.
Reflection
Were we restricted to hard manual labor and a diet of bread,
vegetables and water, most of us would find little reason to rejoice. Yet joy
is what David urged on his brothers as he lay dying. Perhaps he could say that
to them—and to us—because he lived in and nurtured a constant awareness of
God’s nearness. For, as someone once said, “Joy is the infallible sign of God’s
presence.” May his intercession bless us with the same awareness!
Saint David of Wales is the Patron Saint of:
Wales
Lectio Divina: 1st Sunday of Lent (A)
Lectio Divina
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Jesus’ encounter with the devil in the desert
Temptations in the desert of life
Matthew 4:1-11
Temptations in the desert of life
Matthew 4:1-11
1. Opening prayer
Lord Jesus, send Your Spirit to help us read the Bible
as You read it to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the
Word written in the Bible, You helped them to discover the presence of God
in the disturbing events of Your sentence and death. Thus, the cross,
which seemed to signal the end of all hope, appeared to them as source of life
and resurrection.
Create silence in us that we may listen to Your
voice in Creation and in Scripture, in events and people, above all in the poor
and the suffering. May Your word guide us so that we too, like the
disciples on the way to Emmaus, may experience the force of Your
resurrection and witness to others that You are alive in our midst as
source of brotherhood and sisterhood, of justice and peace. We ask this
of You, Jesus, son of Mary, who have revealed the Father and
sent Your Spirit. Amen
2. Reading
a) A key to the reading:
Let us read this text describing the temptations of Jesus,
temptations that are also those of all human beings. While reading this text we
should pay attention to the following: what are the temptations, where do they
take place, and how does Jesus deal with them?
b) A division of the text to help with the reading:
Mt 4:1-2: The situation where and whence the temptation arises:
desert, spirit, fast and hunger
Mt 4:3-4: The temptation concerning bread.
Mt 4:5-7: The temptation concerning prestige.
Mt 4:8-11: The temptation concerning power.
c) The text:
