Fourth Sunday of Lent (C)

March 31, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Joshua 5: 9a, 10-12 (or 1 Samuel 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a)   

Psalm: 34 (or Psalm 23)

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21 (or Ephesians 5: 8-14)

Gospel reading according to Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32 (or John 9: 1-41)

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Homily: The dead and lost sons; the prodigal father

Many sinners who heard his Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree (cf. Third Sunday of Lent gospel reading) came to Jesus and truly repented for their sins. Some of them were tax collectors and sinners (prostitutes).  “The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus” (Lk. 15: 1).  They came to listen to Jesus’ consoling words of forgiveness.  When you feel and think you are accepted and understood, you sense the warmth of welcoming, of belongingness, of being at home and sought.  In Jesus, they found these acceptance and hospitable approaches to them despite of their conditions in the society.  Like these tax collectors and sinners which were excluded by their community and society and condemned by their own people find refuge, forgiveness and mercy and compassion in Jesus, the Christ.

“. . . but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Lk. 15: 2).  These groups of people who separated themselves from the rest of the ordinary men and women (the Pharisees) because they do not want to be contaminated by their secular lives and by those who studied and rewritten the Laws of Moses (the scribes) from the uneducated people (unlearned of Torah of Moses), who wanted to serve God in their lifestyles until later they became arrogant and self-righteous and thinking they were sinless in their own eyes but not in God’s eyes.  They mistreated Jesus who welcomed and ate in the same table to these hated and detested tax collectors and prostitutes by the Pharisees and scribes.

Jesus heard what the Pharisees and scribes said, so he gave another parable intended only for them.  “So to them Jesus addressed this parable” (Lk. 15: 3).  Jesus addressed the parable of the lost and dead sons, and of the prodigal/extravagant father, to the Pharisees and scribes on behalf of tax collectors and prostitutes whom they called sinners.

 The parable goes like this.  “A man who had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me’.” (Lk. 15: 11-12).   We do not know what comes to the mind of a younger son when he asked his father about his inheritance.  This is a very hard saying and very painful to a father to hear from his son (or even daughter) asking his/her inheritance; for it connotes that the younger son in the parable was saying to his father, “Father, you better die so I can get my share inheritance from your properties,” (mamatay ka na sana, ‘tay, para maangkin ko na ang iyong panama) when he asked for his share in his father’s estate.  The sons and daughters can only receive their inheritances when their parents (fathers and mothers) are dead.  The father, in the parable, is still alive but the son killed his father instantaneously by his words.  

As a loving father, “taos sa puso ang pagmamahal sa anak,” he gave in to the wishes of his beloved young son silently, without question, without complain.  “So the father divided the property between them.  After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation” (Lk. 15: 12-13).  The younger son stayed for a while in his father’s house while gathering all his belongings and then left.  He went to as far as a distant country where no one knew him and spent his money in drinking, womanizing, gambling and maybe even drugs and other vices and sins available in that country – he enjoyed mundane life, until nothing was left in the inheritance he received from his father.

What will happen to a happy-go-lucky lad who spent unwisely his money to a nonsense vices and iniquities?  “When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need . . .” (Lk. 15: 14).  He fell into a dire (calamitous and ominous) need and wants, even a severe famine came into that country, because nothing was left in his coffer/bounty.

When in time of needs come, that is the only time we remember the good things we had before.  So, the younger son remembered his home, his father, and the good things he had in his father’s house.  “Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.  I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers’.”  (Lk. 15: 17-19).  He decided to go home and made a rehearsal of what he is going to say to his father when he comes home, of asking forgiveness for what he has done. 

The father, every day after his younger son left, was always looking and waiting for the return of his son back to his embrace.  While the son, who made a deep breath, decided at last to go home, prepared his self and accepted whatever his father will do to him. “So he got up and went back to his father.  While he was still long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.  He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him” (Lk. 15: 20).  The father knows his son (and even his daughter) (kilala ng ama (o ina) ang kanyang anak).  The way he moves, walks, acts, swings his hands and arms, and all the body movements.  He is very familiar to the mannerism of his son (and/or daughter).  Surprisingly, a long way off the father caught sight of and recognized his son’s body movement, could not wait, ran towards him, embraced him and kissed him without any word but only the joy in his heart and full of compassion.

The son wanted to deliver his rehearsed speech but was cut and interrupted by the command of his father.  “His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.  Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’  Then the celebration began” (Lk. 15: 21-24).  No explanation is needed to the father who loves his sons (and/or daughters).  What is important is that he returns home alive.  The father ordered to his servants to give him a dissent clothes to wear, ring on his finger and sandals on his feet, as a sign or symbol of free man.  He also ordered to slaughter and cook a fattened calf for a feast.  The father called for a celebration for his younger son who came home, as he said: “because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”  He came back and repented, like tax collectors and sinners.    

The elder son, like Pharisees and scribes, who did not go away from his father’s side, who did not disobey any rule of his father but rather treated himself as a slave, as a servant, as a hired worker instead of being a son and an heir of his father’s wealth, did not come in to welcome his brother, “nagtatampo,” and celebrate.  “Now the older son . . . became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him” (Lk. 15: 25). He was angry to his father’s attitude and extravagant to his younger brother.  He did not care whether his brother came back or not, dead or alive.  So, the father came out to pacify the anger of his eldest son.  

The eldest son poured out his anger, long and hard, what he was keeping in his heart and mind, (saloobin) to his father.  It is only now that he reveals what’s inside of his heart about his father.  “He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.  But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf’.” (Lk. 15:  29-30).  He served his father like a hired worker or slave or servant and not as a son to his father.  He did not disobey any of his father’s order; if he does he thinks he will be punished.  He was waiting to receive from his father even a goat to feast on with his friends without asking from his father. Here comes the criticism and grumble, sungkawa at sumbat, by mentioning “the son of yours, when your son,” (iyan na iyong anak) he did not say “my brother” (aking kapatid), which also hurt his father’s feelings.  He was no different to his younger brother in hurting their father. This is also a very hard saying and very painful to a father to hear from his elder son his indifference to his younger brother.

But as truly a loving father and with lots of patience and forgiveness, he tried to understand the feelings of his elder son. “He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.  But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found’.” (Lk. 15: 31-32). He opened his eyes about the reality of his person, that he is a son and heir also to his father’s wealth.  All the properties they have belonged to him, that he can do freely whatever he wanted to do for he is a free man, but he has to accept the reality of having a brother, a younger brother who committed sin; and asking for forgiveness for repenting the sin he had done.  I hope, the elder son goes with his father, enters in their house, welcomes his younger brother with embrace and kiss him, and the celebration continues.

Jesus was teaching the Pharisees and scribes (as the eldest son), as well as we (the younger son), to be like the prodigal father who forgives and forgets the pain given by the sin of the younger son (tax collectors and sinners), who repented the sin he has done.  Be brother and/or sister to your/our brothers and sisters who committed sin and asking for forgiveness after repenting his/her sin.     

Third Sunday of Lent (C)

March 24, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Exodus 3: 1-8a, 13-15 (or Exodus 17: 3-7) 

Psalm: 103

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10: 1-6, 10-12 (or Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8)

Gospel reading according to Luke 13: 1-9 (or John 4: 5-42)

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Homily

In our present times, what had happened to Kenneth, to Kulot, Djastin (Lopez), and to over 6,000 persons who died in the hands of the alleged policemen during “tokhang” (katok hangyo) knock and ask modus operandi, of riding in tandem, of Death Squad and other groups, who were victims of so-called EJK or Extra-Judicial Killings, because they fought back or “nanlaban,” because they were drug users and/or pushers? Even in March 2019 the Social Weather Station survey indicated the increase to 78% of the respondents were worried that they or someone they knew would become victims of extrajudicial killings as compared in June 2017 survey of 73%; where the Supreme Court also defined EJK in 2008 ruling: “a killing committed without due process of law, that is, without legal safeguards or proceeding;” (cf. Sun.Star, Opinion: “Don’t Quibble Over How EJK is Defined, People Worry. Period,” March 5, 2019, p. 10), or to that 16 year old Christine Lee Silawan, living in Sitio Soong, Brgy. Mactan. Lapu-lapu City, Cebu, found dead on March 11, 2019, whose face was skinned to the bone and her throat, tongue, and right ear were severed, mutilated, half-naked, with so many stabbed wounds and found her dead body in Brgy. Bankal, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu; whose suspects were probably the leader of a certain cult named Jonas Martel Bueno and his two brothers, Junrey and Jovy, members also of that cult eating human flesh from the mountain barangays in Danao, specifically in Sitio Agutayan, Brgy. Lawaan, Danao.  Also murdered victim of this cult was Trinidad Bacutan, a 60 years old farmer found dead in his own house in Danao City with the skin on his face and chest were missing, two months before the Silawan murder.  The skin is used as ingredient in a stew which they would eat, or it might be his ex-boyfriend who killed her (cf. Sun.Star Sunday, “It’s Probable: Danao Cult Behind Teen’s Grisly Death,” Vol. 37, No. 10, March 17, 2019, pp. 1-2). How about Mario Abella with mental disorder, of Sitio Lacros, Brgy. Labangon in Cebu City, who died in a fire that hit his house at 2:00pm on March 14, 2019.  His nephew called out to him to go out of his house, but he said, “Ari ra ko diri, Dong, kay mao ni ang gisugo ni Senor Sto. Nino nako” (I will stay here, Dong, because that is what Senor Sto. Nino wants me to do.).  (cf. Sun.Star, News Plus, “1 Dead, 2 Injured in Labangon Fire,” Vol. 37, No. 108, March 15, 2019, p. 10).

What had happened to them, was it the intention of God, to punish them because they were sinners and more sinful than the rest of us?  These and many other worrisome and gruesome killings we can consider similar to those people in the gospel today were many witnessed the incident in those time, in Jerusalem, in particular the killings of Galilean worshipers of the True God whom Pontius Pilate did not allow to offer gifts and animal sacrifices, so he killed them and even mingling their blood mixed to their animal sacrifices on the altar.  “Some people who were present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood to their sacrifices” (Lk. 13: 1).  Those Jewish people who were present and witnessed in the killings of the Galileans by Pontius Pilate were thinking that they were sinners and disobedient not to the will of God but by the will of a man’s law and caprice – Pontius Pilate, a representative of their Roman conquerors, who worshiped Caesar, Emperor, as god.  Or these Jewish men “who related this story to Jesus may have been trying to lure him into taking sides, either for or against Pilate, or they may have simply been curious about Jesus’ reaction to the massacre” (https://www.gotquestions.org/tower-of-Siloam.html).

But Jesus had different understanding of what had happened to that group of Galilean worshipers.  “Jesus said to them in reply, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?  By no means!  But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!’” (Lk. 13: 2-3). They were not sinners or disobedient to God’s will but victims of a man’s pride, whims, quirk, and self-glorification, power and authority over his minions and slaves.  Then he encouraged these Jewish people who witnessed the killings to constantly repent for every day they committed sins against God and their neighbors especially those victims of impunity (license) to kill/murder, harass, against God’s law of love and forgiveness, mercy and compassion.

He added to those Jewish people (if they did not know yet) informing them about the eighteen people killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them. “’Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?  By no means!  But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!’” (Lk. 13: 4-5).  Jesus was updated of the current news happening in Jerusalem.  Again, he said they were no sinners or bad people, or more sinful than the rest of us.  It was an accident and it does not happen every day.  “Siloam was an area just outside the walls of Jerusalem on the southeast side of the city. A spring-fed pool was there, which was the scene of one of Christ’s miracles (John 9). The tower of Siloam may have been part of an aqueduct system or a construction project that Pilate had begun. In any case, the tower fell, and eighteen people were killed in the catastrophe.” (https://www.gotquestions.org/tower-of-Siloam.html).  But then again, Jesus repeated his flee to them for repentance for their sinfulness or else worse that the Galilean worshipers whom Pontius Pilate killed and the eighteen people died when the tower of Siloam fell on them.

To bring the message clearer to his hearers, he gave them another story, a parable, where they were familiar. It was about a fig tree that does not bear fruit.  “And he told them this parable: There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none.  So cut it down.  Why should it exhaust the soil?’  He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future.  If not you can cut it down’.” (Lk. 13: 6-9).  To compare the two incidents that happened in Jerusalem to the fruitless fig tree, Jesus was saying to them and to us that a fruitless faith and worship without work and/or only lip service is a dead faith (a fig tree without fruit) that does not bear fruits (of works, service and sacrifices for others).  We have to prove our faith in God by giving service and charitable works to the needy neighbors.  It is not enough that we pray regularly, do some novena and other devotions though they discipline our spiritual life.  We have to put salt (flavor) to our prayers and devotions by adding works of charity, love, mercy and compassion, if not it is better for us to be cut down from the root like the fruitless fig tree.  And above all, our constant repentance, our change of heart, our asking forgiveness daily, to the sins we do and the good things we do not do to others, otherwise, as what Jesus said, “But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

Second Sunday of Lent (C)

March 17, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18 

Psalm: 27

Second Reading: Philippians 3: 20 - 4: 1

Gospel reading according to Luke 9: 28b-36

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Homily: The Transfiguration of Jesus

Very often when Jesus prayed for very important things and decisions to make, he went alone either in the desert or on the mountain to ask God for enlightenment and answers to his prayers, and very seldom he brought with him his disciples to pray.  This time, a very crucial time, Jesus brought Peter, James and John to accompany him on the mountain to pray.  “Jesus took Peter, James and John and went up the mountain to pray” (Lk. 9: 28b).  By this time of very urgent and crucial moment of his life, he brought with him not one or two but three of his chosen Apostles and leaders of his group on Mount Tabor to pray with him and he for them, to his coming crucifixion and death in Jerusalem.  Jesus wanted that these three selected leaders of his apostolic group be strong enough when the time comes he has to leave them, when they realize the importance of this event.   

When he was praying, something “na kagila-gilalas,” something astonishing and wonderful things happened. “While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white” (Lk. 9: 29).  His face, actually his whole body, his humanity and divinity, was so brilliant, “nagni-ningning sa kadakilaan” and changed in appearance (transfigured), he revealed his own self as Son of God and of Man in his majesty and honor and power and glory.  Even his clothes turned into glittering “nakakasilaw” white which no bleach can make and compare its brightness and whiteness.  As what Ephraem the Syrian said about the summary of the theology of Incarnation, “In the divinity and the humanity which were hypostatically united, in the humanity which He used in both a human and divine way, in domination and subjection, in fact and in action, the Son of God made is one person without division.”  

While Jesus was in this bewildering and mystifying appearance and in prayer, two great men of Old Testament appeared – Moses, the Lawgiver and Elijah, the greatest prophet among all the prophets.  “And behold, two men were conversing him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem” (Lk. 9: 30-31).  Their coming to him was to disclose to him the fulfillment of the promised of prophecy of old in him and what will happen to the forthcoming event in his life and death in Jerusalem to accomplish this promise.

This apparition of Moses and Elijah and the dazzling appearances of Jesus made Peter, James and John to rise up “na alimpungatan” from their slumber and overwhelmed of what they were witnessing.   “Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully aware, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him” (Lk. 9: 32).  Peter and his companions, James and John, saw the new appearances of Jesus, his glowing face and body and his dazzling white clothes, as well as the two great men from the past standing with him – Moses and Elijah, talking face to face to each other. 

Overcame his thoughts but still confused to what was happening, Peter proposed to Jesus that it is better to stay and remain on the top of the mountain, by suggesting to build tents, a sign of permanency, when the two great men of old were about to leave Jesus and the mountaintop.   “As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’  But he did not know what he was saying” (Lk. 9: 33). As if Peter was in trance saying to Jesus, Moses and Elijah to stay and remain there on the top of the mountain forever and never mind the promise to be fulfilled, for he did not know what to say or to do to what he was amazingly witnessing.  Peter did not know what he was saying or suggesting.  His mind is not of God but of man.

It was natural to Peter to act aggressively and to talk immediately without thinking; he was always rejoining abruptly, as in “padalus-dalos.”   “While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud” (Lk. 9: 34).  While Peter was still talking to Jesus, Moses and Elijah, the cloud, symbolizing the presence of God, came down and covered them, and the disciples were frightened and terrified when they entered the cloud.  Suddenly, the voice of God was heard, speaking to them. “Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my chosen Son; listen to him’.” (Lk. 9: 35).  God repeated what He said after Jesus was baptized by John in the River Jordan, “This is my chosen Son,” but this time with emphasis on a command, “listen to him.”  They must listen to Jesus in all that he will say and in all that he will command.

When the voice stopped speaking, and the cloud went up to heaven, and the two great men in the past were gone and only Jesus was left behind, a total silence reigned; a deafening silence held sway in that place on the top of the Mountain Tabor.  “After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.  They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen” (Lk. 9: 36). The disciples kept to themselves what had happened and what they had witnessed on the mountaintop until the Son of God was raised up to heaven (after his passion, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven), as fulfillment of the promises of God the Father after the fall of wo/man that He will save his beloved people from their sins out of his love, mercy and compassion to us, his adopted children.

First Sunday of Lent (C)

March 10, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Deuteronomy 26: 4-10

Psalm: 91

Second Reading: Romans 10: 8-13

Gospel reading according to Luke 4: 1-13

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Homily: The Temptations of Jesus

After baptizing by John in the River Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus; and filled with the same Holy Spirit was brought by him in the desert to be tempted by Satan as tests of his faithfulness as Son of God to God his Father.  “Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil” (Lk. 4: 1-2).  With the Holy Spirit in him, Jesus stayed in the desert for forty days and forty nights, praying and fasting, at the same time being tempted by the devil and/or evil spirit.

As part of his tests, he has not eaten any food or drank water to reduce his hunger and thirst.  “He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry” (Lk. 4: 2).  After forty days and forty nights, the last day of his fasting and prayer, he became more hungry and thirsty.  But, he survived.

The first temptation of Jesus, turning the stone into bread, by using his power.  The devil took this opportunity when Jesus finished his abstaining from food; he tempted Jesus to turn the stone into bread to eat and fill his stomach by stone (and not of wheat or rice).  “The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread’.” (Lk. 4: 3).  The devil, Satan, tempted Jesus by using the trick, “if you are truly the Son of God,” commanded Jesus to turn the stone into bread.  Bread (made of wheat or flour) is the stable and constant food in any house, of rich and poor alike, as rice for us Filipinos and Asians.  Everybody eats bread/rice.  But, in the case of the first temptation of Jesus, using the trick, “if you are . . .,” it is different.  Jesus is making small by the devil, and Satan was thinking he is more superior to Jesus.  Jesus in spite of his weak body due to fasting for forty days was able to confront Satan, the father of lies. How can you eat a stone?  “Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, One does not live by bread alone’.” (Lk. 4: 4).  Any one is not living by bread alone, “but by every word of God” (Lk. 4: 4). Most often Satan is offering his victim material things that do not last long.  Bread here is either wealth, or treasure, gold and silver, money which is also called bread and mammon, etc. that makes one separate from God for it brings ambitions and greed, yet temporary satisfaction.  Jesus knew very well what Satan meant when he said “command this stone to become bread.”  Satan was tempting Jesus to use his power and as a Son of God.  Jesus can say to Satan, that God is our Bread of Life, the One that gives life.    

The Second Temptation of Jesus. Satan did not win in tempting Jesus to use his power and his trick of as “the Son of God” in commanding the stone to turn into bread, so he used another trick, Satan the father of lies, by promising to give to Jesus all the kingdoms here on earth.  “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 their 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’.” (Lk. 4: 5-7). Like a big screen, in a single instant and on the spot, the devil shown to Jesus all the kingdoms here and in every corner of the earth.  Satan was amiable as to his cohorts that all these kingdoms have been handed over to him.  And, he was willing to give them all to whom he likes to give them, especially to those who are willing to sell their souls in exchange of this kingdom.  These, all kingdoms, he offered to Jesus just to worship him.  Satan (or Lucifer, an Angel of Light) was an ambitious fallen angel who wanted to become equal if not subsume God his Creator. When God told him to serve man, he rebelled and fought against God, angels, and man.  Now, he took this opportunity, when man, Jesus, was weak physically but not spiritually.  He wanted this man, Jesus, to worship him and serve him, to get even to God and to disobey God’s command.  “Jesus said to him in reply, ‘It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve’.” (Lk. 4: 8).  Jesus knew his intention. This was Satan’s long wish since the creation of the world, that man serves him and worships him. But, Jesus true Son of God worships the Lord, his God and Father, and him alone shall he serves.

The third but not the last temptation, for Satan will tempt again Jesus when he will be hanging on the Cross.  This time, Satan brought Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, in the parapet of the temple, to drop himself down or hurl him down from the top of the Temple in order the people inside and out of the Temple might see the amazing landing of Jesus straight up without any bruises or wounds or broken bones; for according to Satan the angels of God will assist him in his landing on the floor of the Temple unharmed “lest you dash your foot against the stone.”   “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 the stone’.” (Lk. 4: 9-11).  With his trick, “if you are the Son of God,” Satan was commanding Jesus to throw down his self from the top of the Temple.  He said also to Jesus that God his Father will immediately send his angels and catch him as he is falling down, but actually Satan was referring to himself about the angel who will lift him down; of which the falling down of Jesus would seems like a leaf slowly and gently dropping down, “parang iniindayog lang ng hangin pakaliwa’t pakanan pababa,” up to landing his feet on the ground so as not to dash his foot against the stone “hindi matatalisod sa bato.”  Satan wanted the people to see this astonishing apparition so that they will adulate and revere Jesus in Satan’s undertaking and not by God the Father himself.  “Jesus said to him in reply ‘It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test’.” (Lk. 4: 12).  Jesus reminded Satan of precept told to him long time ago, for he already put to test God before when he was the Angel of Light; never test God’s power, charity, responsibility, and capacity for it was great and magnificent.  No one can fathom the depth, height, width, length and the strength of God.  As if Jesus was telling Satan do not put him to the test for he is Lord, his God.

Jesus defeated Satan to his tests and temptations on him, despite of being weak in body due to long fasting and praying.  He proved to himself that he is truly faithful as the Son of God and of man.  “When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time” (Lk. 4: 13).   In the end, Satan left Jesus in the desert, the man whom he hated and caused of his rebellion against God, but will come again in due time.