First Sunday of the Lent

Temptation of Jesus in the desert.

Jesus prepared himself for his ministry by a period of fasting, praying, and strengthening himself against temptation.  How will we use the time of Lent for our spiritual training camp? Lent is a time to practice the use of God’s word as our defensive weapon against temptation.       

   What spiritual training plans will we put into practice during Lent? Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are traditional. Today’s passage from the Gospel might suggest that we spend a few minutes each day in reading Scripture.  Are we trying to live by "bread alone?" We might write a plan for each week of Lent. Here are some suggestions to get us started:
First Week I will . . . spend some time reading the Gospels or the Psalms.
Second Week I will . . . fast from foods, unhealthy for body and soul.
Third Week I will . . . volunteer at a soup kitchen, thrift shop, or day care center.
Fourth Week I will . . . learn a few lines of Scripture by heart.
Fifth Week I will . . . give clothes, money, or possessions to the poor.
Sixth Week I will . . . participate in Holy Week liturgies.


Courtesy: CBCI