A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
On the first Sunday of Lent, the reflection is somewhat connected to the gospel reading that we heard last week: Jesus said ‘Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No’. Anything more is from the evil one.
This week, both in the first reading, as well, as the gospel reading, we read about two conversations. In the first reading, it was between Eve and Satan, and in the gospel, it was between Jesus and Satan. In both conversations, Satan first triggers the conversation, and both involve the discussion of food. If Eve was able to say No at the very beginning of Satan’s cajoling, our history would have been different. Jesus, however, was able to say a firm NO to Satan.
Temptation is real and very convincing, but it needs to be tackled. Learning to say a firm NO is the only right and strong weapon to fight temptation. Lenten days are especially given to us to develop the skill of saying NO to the impulses of Satan.
Fasting, along with prayer, is one of the best methods and skills for disciplining oneself and fighting temptation. Fasting is not exclusive to only food, but also includes our desires, attachments to gadgets, unnecessary relationships, social media etc., It is a call to discipline ourselves. Grace fills our hearts when we learn to say NO to Satan. Let us at least try.
Friends, during this Lenten season, I would like to suggest that you please visit our St. John XXIII Thrift Store on US-41 and the St. Martin DePorres Outreach Community Center, to witness what God is telling you and what you could tell us as well! Also, please pay attention to announcements before Mass and any news shared in the weekly bulletin for special information on growing grace during this season. May you share in the joy of attending these future opportunities.
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
- Reading 1: Genesis 2: 7-9; 3:1-7
- Reading 2: Romans 5:12, 17-19
- Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
