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forty days

Gospel
Matthew 4:1-11
The temptation in the wilderness

Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was very hungry, and the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.’ But he replied, ‘Scripture says:

Man does not live on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

The devil then took him to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God’ he said ‘throw yourself down; for scripture says:

He will put you in his angels’ charge,
and they will support you on their hands
in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’

Jesus said to him, ‘Scripture also says:

You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’

Next, taking him to a very high mountain, the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. ‘I will give you all these’ he said, ‘if you fall at my feet and worship me.’ Then Jesus replied, ‘Be off, Satan! For scripture says:

You must worship the Lord your God,
and serve him alone.’

Then the devil left him, and angels appeared and looked after him.

Reflection
What is the significance of forty days? In the old testament Moses went to the wilderness to prepare himself for God's mission. In the new testament it was Christ turn in the wilderness for forty days to prepare for his mission. Today we too prepare ourselves for forty days for Easter during this season of lent. The question is how do we prepare ourselves? The church talk about fasting,almsgiving and prayer.

Let us pray
Lord Jesus may we prepare ourselves in this season of lent with faith hope and love.

Amen




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