Texts for the
First Sunday in Lent
Gen 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
The story of the temptation of Jesus is told each year on the 1st Sunday of Lent; this year it comes from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness corresponds to our 40-day sojourn in Lent when we are invited to self-reflection within our interior wilderness. In the Ash Wednesday worship service, we are admonished that sin separates us from God, our neighbors, and creation, so that we do not enjoy the life our creator intended.
On this first Sunday then, we consider what in our lives tempt us to draw away from God ...or what tempts us away from enjoying the life our creator intended?
Here are some questions for your reflections.
For what do you hunger? What do you want more of? What will you do to get it?
What keeps you from trusting in God as provider?
What helps you feel secure in your relationships? What assures you that you are loved? What keeps you from trusting that God loves you?
To what do you turn to find power, prestige, influence, or authority? Another way to ask that is what are the idols on which you count to assure your place in the world? What keeps you from trusting God?
More thoughts from three years ago.
First Sunday in Lent
Gen 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
The story of the temptation of Jesus is told each year on the 1st Sunday of Lent; this year it comes from the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness corresponds to our 40-day sojourn in Lent when we are invited to self-reflection within our interior wilderness. In the Ash Wednesday worship service, we are admonished that sin separates us from God, our neighbors, and creation, so that we do not enjoy the life our creator intended.
On this first Sunday then, we consider what in our lives tempt us to draw away from God ...or what tempts us away from enjoying the life our creator intended?
Here are some questions for your reflections.
For what do you hunger? What do you want more of? What will you do to get it?
What keeps you from trusting in God as provider?
What helps you feel secure in your relationships? What assures you that you are loved? What keeps you from trusting that God loves you?
To what do you turn to find power, prestige, influence, or authority? Another way to ask that is what are the idols on which you count to assure your place in the world? What keeps you from trusting God?
More thoughts from three years ago.