Reflection for Lent I

By Rev’d. Allison Dean

Every year on the First Sunday in Lent we read one of the accounts of Jesus’ temptation. This year, being in Year B of the lectionary cycle, we read from Mark’s account of the Gospel.

This account doesn’t give us details of the specific temptations. But it does position the temptation in the desert after Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, such that immediately after his commissioning, Jesus’ trials begin. This temptation in the desert was only the first in a long road to that final suffering on the cross. Yet, even as the temptation unfolds, we are told that angels waited on Jesus. We don’t know of what this waiting consisted, but we do know that angels are messengers of God and are assured therefore (if we ever doubted), that the Father was present with the Son during his time of trial. And even as he was with Jesus, he is with us in our time of trial and temptation. Or to quote that 18th-century hymn, “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall by thy supply.”

We rely on God’s grace to see us through. But we must never take it for granted. Often the temptations we face draw on our weaknesses, our desires, with the temptation appearing to be a solution to our problems, a way to elevate ourselves out of a situation. That may be why they can be so difficult to resist. Is this true for you? Or is there something else?

This week, let us reflect on the ways in which we are tempted, reflect on the areas of our lives in which we are most likely to be tempted. And let us pray for the desire to overcome temptation, and for God’s grace to resist and overcome.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(Collect for the First Sunday in Lent)