Word from the Pastor

First Sunday of Lent

“Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights and was tempted”
Gn. 2, 2-9.3,1-7; Rm. 5, 12-19; Mt. 4, 1-11

Dear parish family,
On this first Sunday of Lent, from Genesis to St. Matthew, the readings present two contrasting temptation stories. They take two different roads, leading to two separate destinations. Adam and Eve are “seduced by “what looks pleasing to the eyes, good for food and desirable for obtaining wisdom.” The first Adam falls into temptation. He disobeyed God in a personal sin. He took a direction that turned him away from God. He lost the state of holiness and justice. Ultimately, he finds himself naked. That is, he finds himself in a state of total powerlessness. This state of “total nakedness” he will transmit to all of its descendants. ​

In the second story, Jesus faces the Devil, who tries Him in three ways, to make him fall: food, honor, and wealth. After 40 days of fasting in the desert, the Devil asked Jesus to turn rocks into bread. Then, the Devil tries Jesus by presenting Him with the wealth of the earth, to make him forget his mission. With God’s word, Jesus stand up to Satan! The Lord alone shall you worship and Him alone shall you serve! In all, Jesus rejects the promises of the Devil. The angels came to comfort him afterward. Jesus wins. His victory sets the path of salvation for all. ​

Through these stories, we recognize the model of our own history. At one point or another, each person must choose between God and Satan, between good and evil. Have you chosen already! ​

The Lenten penance prepares us for this radical option. It is a personal option that each person must make in his or her life. Jesus trusts his Father. He will give his life on the cross to deliver all mankind. This act of supreme trust and love restores mankind to that holiness and justice that was lost through disobedience of that first couple, the ancestors of all mankind. ​

During the Lenten season, through prayer and repentance, we will focus on Jesus who suffered, died, and was raised from the dead. He showed us complete and perfect obedience to God the Father. In this “new way” he successfully realizes salvation, and brought wisdom and joy, to all. ​

We all share in the “nakedness” of Adam. This means that “our human nature” lacks the strength needed to follow the path of Christ. Jesus is the “Second Adam” who transmits the power to regain holiness and justice, and wisdom that was lost in the first Adam. ​

Let us ask God to grant us wisdom and love, in order to choose without hesitation this new way, Jesus’ way that brings joy and peace to all! ​

Happy Lent! ​

Fr. Jean Jadotte
Pastor