Homily – 1st Sunday Lent – A – Fr Jeremiah Browne (National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies #southafrica #Botswana #eswatini #Swaziland)
“A very overweight man decided that it was time to shed a few pounds. He went on a new diet and took it seriously. He even changed his usual driving route to work so that he would avoid his favourite bakery.
One morning, however, he arrived at the office carrying a large cake. His friends at work asked him what happened. So he told them that out of habit, he accidentally drove by his favourite bakery. Just as he passed the bakery, he saw this beautiful cake in the window, along with a lot of other goodies. He went on to say, ‘I felt that it was no accident that I happened to pass by, so I drove around the block and prayed, “Lord, if you really want me to have one of these delicious cakes, let me find a parking place in front of the bakery.” Sure enough, on the ninth trip around the block, there was the parking space!’”
We smile because we recognise ourselves in that story. We can be very creative when it comes to justifying what we already desire.
Every First Sunday of Lent, the Church brings us to the wilderness with Jesus. In today’s gospel (Matthew 4:1–11), following his baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert. There he faces the tempter. We face the tempter every day.
Notice how the devil doesn’t present Jesus with something obviously evil. He offers bread for a hungry man; protection from harm; authority over kingdoms. Each of these suggestion appear reasonable. Each proposal sounds sensible, even helpful. Hunger is real after forty days of fasting. Safety is attractive. Influence over the nations could be used for good.
Nothing appears dark or sinister on the surface. That is precisely how temptation works. It rarely announces itself as destructive. It presents itself as practical, timely, deserved. It appeals to a genuine need, then quietly invites us to meet that need in the wrong way or at the wrong time. The issue is not bread, safety, or leadership. The issue is trust. Will Jesus rely on God the Father, or will he try to circumvent the struggle, the challenge?
In the same way, our temptations often revolve around good things pursued without reference to God’s will. Success without integrity. Affection without commitment. Security without faith. The struggle in the desert is not about spectacular evil. It is about subtle compromise. That is the first lesson in this scripture – how easily do we compromise our values?
The second lesson is equally important. Notice how Jesus doesn’t engage with the devil’s proposals. He doesn’t negotiate. He doesn’t attempt to outwit. Each time, he responds with the Word of God: “It is written…” Jesus stands anchored in Scripture. He refuses to enter into a prolonged inner conversation with the lie. That is so important and very practical.
Think about it! When the thought arises that a small dishonesty could bring financial gain, the mind can begin circling the block, just like that driver. When resentment replays an old wound, we can nurse it until retaliation feels justified.
When attraction drifts into fantasy, we can feed it quietly until faithfulness weakens. We can talk ourselves into anything. What we focus on grows stronger. My grandfather would always ask If you are driving down the road, and you are looking in over the fence, where are your going to end up?” Then he would answer, “you are going to end us inside the fence. You go where you are looking.”
Lent is an invitation to discipline our gaze. Fasting trains us not to indulge every appetite. Prayer roots us in God’s truth. Almsgiving loosens our grip on possessions and self-importance. These practices are not burdens. They are safeguards for freedom – they train us in the art of self-discipline.
Notice too that Jesus is not alone in the desert. The Spirit leads him there, and that same Spirit strengthens us. That same Spirit strengthens him. We are not left to battle temptation by sheer willpower, the Spirit is with us too. We just need to keep our focus.
As we begin this first full week of Lent, let us make it practical. Choose one area where you know you tend to “drive around the block”. It may be a habit of negative thinking, a tendency to cut corners, an unhealthy attachment to your phone, or a grudge you quietly rehearse.
Name it honestly before the Lord. “Lord, this is what I struggle with.” Then decide in advance what you will do when the temptation comes. Cout if off, straight away, because you getting to negotiate with the temptation, your will lose, that is how it works.
Maybe you can slow down and pray one line of Scripture. Maybe you will need to step away physically from the situation. Or maybe you can choose to replace the thought with an act of kindness. Don’t wait until you are on the ninth lap looking for a parking space. Change the route.
Keep your eyes on Christ each day. Ask the Spirit to lead you, not into confusion, but into clarity and strength. Small, faithful choices this week will shape the direction of your heart. Small, faithful choices this week will shape the direction of your life. That is how freedom begins, and that is how we grow into the people that God desires us to be.
*****************
If you would like to make a monetary donation to support the Mission of the Church you can do so on our website using the give button: https://missio-sacbc.org/donate
**************
Please consider praying a decade of the rosary on a daily basis for the evangelising Mission of the Church and the Pope’s intentions.
The pope’s prayer intention for February is “For children with incurable diseases.”
Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.
*****************
Blessed Pauline Jaricot, Pray for us. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
*****************
Batswana Catholics Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Diocese of Francistown Diocese of Francistown Youth & Young Adults Catholic Diocese of Mthatha Catholic Diocese Of Kroonstad Missionary Childhood CATHOLIC YOUTH OF THE DIOCESE OF KLERKSDORP DIOCESE OF WITBANK YOUTH MINISTRY Bethlehem Diocese Youth Catholic Youth- Diocese of Manzini,Swaziland P.M.C Diocese of Manzini Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth Catholic Institute of Education Catholic Church South Africa – Sacbc Catholic News Agency #catholic #lent #faith #hope #love