First Sunday of Lent (B)

February 18, 2018

Readings:

First Reading – Genesis 9: 8-15

Psalm 25

Second Reading – 1 Peter 3: 18-22

Gospel reading according to Mark (1: 12-15)

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Homily: 

After baptizing Jesus by John in the River Jordan, the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him, as a dove, and there came the voice of God from heaven saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11). There was something mysterious here, and something unique.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, known as the Holy Trinity, were present during and after the baptism of Jesus.  Jesus became the representative of the Father to all people.  The Spirit sealed the appearance of Jesus the Son of God.  And the Father guaranteed His presence through Jesus Christ. 

At the very beginning of his ministry, after baptizing and recognizing what he would become – Messiah (Christus) the anointed one, first things first, he was going to be tempted to know his readiness in his ministry.  He was led out by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil, Satan which means condemner or accuser.  “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert” (Mark 1: 12).  As if it was the Holy Spirit’s initiative that brought Jesus in the desert.  As if the Holy Spirit allowed Jesus to be tested.  Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit remained with him.  He did not leave or abandoned Jesus but he constantly accompanied him even into the desert of temptation. 

The temptation of Jesus is detailed in the Gospels of Matthew, (4: 1-11), Mark (1: 12-15 of today’s gospel), and Luke (4: 1-13).  According to these texts, after being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the Judaean Desert. “And he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan” (Mark 1: 13).  Without eating or drinking for forty days, Jesus was hungry and thirsty.  During this time, Satan appeared to Jesus and tried to tempt him.  “He was among the wild beasts . . .” (Mark 1: 13).  Not only Satan was present there in the desert, even wild beasts were there waiting for Jesus died, and his dead body they devoir.  Jesus having refused each temptation, the Devil then departed as well as the wild beasts and “. . .  and the angels ministered to him” (Mark 1:13).  Jesus won the temptations.  

What were the temptations Jesus underwent? These temptations were hedonism (hunger / satisfaction=[stones into bread]), egoism (spectacular throw / might=[pinnacle of the temple]) and materialism (kingdoms / wealth=[mountain]). John the Evangelist in his epistle calls these temptations in world as “lust of eyes” (materialism), “lust of body” (hedonism) and “pride of life” (egoism) (John 2:16). Temptations aim to mislead and pervert three main human characteristics; to think, wish and feel which are inside mind, soul and heart as Jesus alludes in Greatest Commandment.  These are related with transcendental or ultimate ideals in three areas of human interests; science (truth), arts (beauty) and religion (goodness). Christians are called to search for divine virtues; faith, hope and love that relate them directly to God who Himself is Truth, Beauty and Goodness (CCC, 41). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temptation_of_Christ).

Jesus returned to Galilee to begin his ministry.  “After John had been arrested” (Mark 1:14).  It so happened that John the Baptizer was arrested and put into prison by the autocratic, manipulative, lustful and corrupt king, Herod Antipas, because John was telling the truth, especially about the king’s relation to his sister-in-law, Herodias, wife of King Philip, King Herod’s brother.  To silence the prophet, he put him to jail.  Meanwhile, this is also an opportune time for Jesus to begin his ministry.  “Jesus came from Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment.  The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1: 14-15).  Now, Jesus has the courage to announce the good news of the Lord to all, “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”  He can now bear all the temptations of the world and win them, and his Father has confidence in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that he can carry out the mission entrusted to him, and not to be tempted to do otherwise, opposing God’s will.   As what the psalmist said: “Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant” (Ps. 25).