February 29, 2020

1st Sunday of Lent - A (March 1, 2020)


Three Temptations, Three Lenten Practices

The three temptations that Jesus faced have one thing in common – to be in control.
First, to be in control of taking care of ourselves and our wants and needs.
Second, to be in control of God – we want God to do what we want, to provide for what we need (even in the way and at the time we want it).
Third, to be in control of others.

Which of these three is God inviting me to work on this Lent?  Probably a little of all three.

And the three Lenten practices (disciplines) the Church teaches us can be helpful accordingly.
Fasting helps us to learn through hunger, thirst, and want that we are not in control of our own destiny, and that we depend on God and others.
Prayer helps us to let God be in control.
Almsgiving helps us to focus not on ourselves but others, not on our wants but the needs of others.   
Image source:  www.agnusday.org

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