1st Week of Lent - Sunday C

In the first reading from the book of Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the Israelites of their grace-filled heritage as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He emphasizes the importance of remembering who they are: "My father was a wandering Aramean." This statement is more than a mere historical account; it's an acknowledgment of their collective journey, their struggles, and most importantly, the faithfulness of God in their lives. God delivered them from oppression and brought them to a place of abundance.

As we reflect on our own lives today, let us recognize our identity as beloved children of God. In this Lenten season, we must remind ourselves of where we have come from; each of us has a story of God's grace and mercy. Just as the Israelites brought forth the first fruits as an act of gratitude, we too are called to acknowledge the blessings in our lives and respond with thanksgiving—symbolizing our commitment to God. How can we show our gratitude? Perhaps through acts of service, kindness, or renewed faithfulness, but mostly, as I have been emphasizing in my last several homilies, by seeking, doing and loving God’s will.

We get our second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, wherein we encounter the profound simplicity of faith. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This powerful declaration reminds us that salvation is available to all, transcending boundaries and distinctions and while it may seem petty to some to have the eternal fates of each individual of every time and place hinge on a simple act of faith, one has to keep in mind that this is not merely a trusting that what God has done is true and good, but living in a way which reflects that. We have to remember our Lord’s distinction between saying we will do what God asks, and actually doing it. We can declare a lot of things, and as happens with most of us, we fail to follow through. Jesus even spoke of a father who had two sons who were sent on errands. One said he would not go, but thought better of it after and went. The other said he would, but ended up not going. Our Lord asks, “Which one did his father’s will?” Sometimes we may hesitate in truly embracing our faith and doing as God asks, but it’s never too late to begin anew. Saint James reiterates this by reminding us that faith without works is dead.

Finally, the Gospel today recalls the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, faces the devil's deceit with scripture and unwavering faith. Each temptation challenges Him not only physically but also spiritually, as the enemy attempts to divert Him from His mission.

In the midst of our Lenten journey, we must confront our own temptations—those things that seek to pull us away from God. And let me just deviate here for a moment. I think in tackling those things that are keeping us away from deepening our prayer life, we need to make some preliminary considerations. We can ask these questions: Am I in a state of grace? Do I need to perhaps go to confession so I can relate to God with a clean conscience? Secondly, am I well-rested? Do I discipline myself in trying to get to bed on time so that my body is well-rested for the next day? Why is this so important? Well, because without the energy that we need, feeling tired and depleted is not only an enemy to prayer, but it will be the principle cause of many of our sins: lack of custody of the eyes, or the tongue (what we say) and a lot of times it leads us to be dishonest, because one will have to inevitably come up with excuses as to why they are performing so poorly at the workplace. Therefore, things like getting enough rest, are paramount for deepening a prayer life. Of course the extreme opposite of that is sloth and laziness, where some people prefer to sleep for the better half of the day. Again, everything has its proper place and time, and our lives need to be ordered if we are to help others find peace in an orderly, faith-filled lifestyle.

As we begin this sacred season of Lent, let us walk this journey together, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us into the fullness of life. May we emerge renewed this Easter, ready to proclaim the Good News and live as witnesses of God’s transformative love. Amen.