First Sunday of Lent

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 First Sunday of Lent

Reading I Deuteronomy 26:4-10

Moses spoke to the people, saying:  “The priest shall receive the basket from you and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God. Then you shall declare before the Lord, your God, ‘My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien. But there he became a nation great, strong, and numerous. When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; and bringing us into this country, he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me.’ And having set them before the LORD, your God, you shall bow down in his presence.”

1.     If you were to bring God your “first fruits” what would they be: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.     What signs of hope you find in this reading? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.     What is an oppression or suffering you wish that God could help you with right now? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15

R. (cf. 15b)  Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
No evil shall befall you,  nor shall affliction come near your tent, For to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper; you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;  I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress; I will deliver him and glorify him.
R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

1. How can you make sure God is your shelter and you live in God’s shadow? What does that mean to you? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Write down a word or phrase that stands out to you today? Tell me why it does. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reading II Romans 10:8-13

Brothers and sisters: What does Scripture say? The word is near you,  in your mouth and in your heart
—that is, the word of faith that we preach—, for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. For the Scripture says,  No one who believes in him will be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1.     How do you find hope in this reading? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.     What is something you would like to ask the author of this passage. You must ask a question. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Verse Before the Gospel

Matthew 4:4b

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Gospel Luke 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written You shall worship the Lord, your God,  and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,  and: With their hands they will support you,  lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

1.     Lent is our forty days: What is your response to each of the questions the devil asks:

a.     If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread: Material posessions

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b.     I shall give you all this power and glory: All this will be yours, if you worship me: Fame __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c.      Lest you dash your foot against a stone: living a life in a bubble __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.     What has these reading helped you to understand about your fasting and feasting? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.     What do you still need to do and know during this Lenten season? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.     Write a prayer asking for guidance and perseverance during this Lenten season: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

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