Greeting

We are gathered in the name of Jesus.
He brought us life instead of death;
by his obedience he made up for our disobedience.
May his grace and peace be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. I Will Serve

When we take a serious look at ourselves, we realize that there are things that keep us from being the persons and the Christians we wish we were. We feel that we are not free to be our true selves. At the beginning of his mission Jesus looked at himself and saw the temptations that would keep him from carrying out his mission. Lent is for us the time to look into ourselves and to see what keeps us from being free to serve and love God and people the way we should. Let us go with Jesus into the desert, look into the depth of ourselves, and with Jesus reject what imprisons us, what keeps us lukewarm and indifferent, so that like him and with him we can serve.

B. Forty Days to Easter

On this First Sunday of Lent we have just begun our journey of forty days to Easter. We are the people of the forty days: the people of God in the Old Testament needed forty years in the desert to grow through their trials and mistakes into the People of God ready for the Promised Land. Jesus spent forty days in the desert in fasting and prayer to prepare himself to make his choice to be the kind of Messiah God wanted. We today are given our forty days, too, to re-examine ourselves before God whether we want to be and are the kind of Christians God wants us to be. We look up to Jesus here among us to see if with him and by his power we are willing to reject the temptations that try to divert us from the task God has given us.

Penitential Act

What keeps us from following Jesus all the way
on the road to God and to people?
Let us examine ourselves before the Lord.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you rejected serving yourself,
for you chose to serve the Father and people's happiness:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Jesus Christ, you rejected impressing people
with spectacular actions,
but chose the humble way of the cross:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you rejected power and wealth
but made love and the faith of the poor
the foundation of the kingdom of God among us:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord,
and forgive us all our sins.
Make us reject all temptations with you
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray that during this Lent
we may be truly converted
(PAUSE)
God our Father,
in the desert your Son Jesus struggled forty days
with the demands of his mission,
and he overcame all temptations.
In these forty days of Lent
convert us, turn our hearts
to the peace of your forgiveness,
the light of your love,
your concern for people.
Let us find the life and the joy
which Jesus brings us,
and dispose us to share it with others.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction: Tempted from the Beginning
      In a symbolical story, the sacred writer says that as far as people can remember they have always been tempted to make themselves their own gods, absolute masters of their own life and happiness. This is the human tragedy.

First Reading: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Then Yahweh God formed Man, dust drawn from the clay, and breathed into his nostrils a breath of life and Man became alive with breath. God planted a garden in Eden in the east and there he placed Man whom he had created. Yahweh God caused to grow from the ground every kind of tree that is pleasing to see and good to eat, also the tree of Life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Now the serpent was the most crafty of all the wild creatures that Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say: You must not eat from any tree in the garden?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden, but of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden God said: You must not eat, and you must not touch it or you will die." The serpent said to the woman, "You will not die, but God knows that the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil."

The woman saw that the fruit was good to eat, and pleasant to the eyes, and ideal for gaining knowledge. She took its fruit and ate it and gave some to her husband who was with her. He ate it. Then their eyes were opened and both of them knew they were naked. So they sewed leaves of a fig tree together and made themselves loincloths.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 51:3-4,5-6,12-13,17

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in your greatness of your compassion
wipe out my offense
thorough wash me from my guilt;
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

For I acknowledge my offense,
and sin is before me always.
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

A clean heart create for me, O God;
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your holy spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Second Reading Introduction: We Are Saved by the Man Jesus Christ
       Adam, standing for all of humanity, has spoiled the right relationship with God, other people, and himself. God's Son, the man Jesus Christ, came to restore this relationship. This is the human tragedy Jesus came to remedy.

Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19

Therefore, sin entered the world through one man and through sin, death, and later on death spread to all humankind, because all sinned. As long as there was no law, they could not speak of disobedience, but sin was already in the world. This is why from Adam to Moses death reigned among them, although their sin was not disobedience as in Adam's case - this was not the true Adam, but foretold the other who was to come.

Such has been the fall, but God's gift goes far beyond. All died because of the fault of one man, but how much more does the grace of God spread when the gift he granted reaches all, from this unique man Jesus Christ. Again, there is no comparison between the gift and the offense of one man. The disobedience that brought condemnation was of one sinner, whereas the grace of God brings forgiveness to a world of sinners. If death reigned through the disobedience of one and only one person, how much more will there be a reign of life for those who receive the grace and the gift of true righteousness through the one person, Jesus Christ.

Just as one transgression brought sentence of death to all, so, too, one man's good act has brought justification and light to all; and as the disobedience of only one made all sinners, so the obedience of one person allowed all to be made just and holy.

Gospel Introduction: Jesus Overcomes Our Temptations
       Jesus overcame all our human temptations of selfishness, pride and power. He wanted to serve God and save people. In this way he made us capable of humbly serving God and our neighbor.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

At that time, the Spirit led Jesus into the desert that he be put to the test by the devil. After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry.
Then the devil came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, order these stones to turn into bread." But Jesus answered, "Scripture says: one does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city, set him on the highest wall of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for scripture says, God has given orders to his angels about you. Their hands will hold you up lest you hurt your foot against a stone." Jesus answered, "But scripture also says: You shall not put to the test the Lord your God."

Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the nations of the world in all their greatness and splendor. And he said, "All this I will give you, if you kneel and worship me." Then Jesus answered, "Be off, Satan! Scripture says: worship the Lord your God and serve him alone."
Then the devil left him, and angels came to serve him.

Commentary

Jesus experienced the temptation to act in ways that were self-centered, ways that would call attention to Himself or make His life here on earth one of ease and comfort. Jesus' rejection of these temptations points to His clear understanding of and desire to carry out the will of His heavenly Father.

During these days of Lent may we be conscious of the temptations that we face every day, most of which would have us be less authentic in the living out of our calling. May our self-denial and prayer lead us to a greater conformity to the person of Jesus.

Let us pray to the Lord together with all Christians who make with us the effort this Lent to be free for God and for one another, and let us say:
R/ Lord, save us by your love.

- For the Church we love, that we may grow together on the road of service and love, let us pray: R/ Lord, save us by your love.

- For those who hesitate when tempted, for those attracted by violence, for those in the chains of evil, let us pray: R/ Lord, save us by your love.

- For those who abuse their power, for those who reject God, for those who refuse to serve, let us pray: R/ Lord, save us by your love.

- For those who are hungry, for those who are persecuted, for the victims of violence, let us pray: R/ Lord, save us by your love.

- For those who doubt, for those who despair, for those who are unfaithful,
let us pray: R/ Lord, save us by your love.

- For communities without love, for those who cannot forgive, for those hardened in hatred, let us pray: R/ Lord, save us by your love.

God our Father, we have prayed to you for so many. But we include ourselves too, for we are weak and fallible. Touch us with your love and convert us all, through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
in these humble signs of bread and wine
your Son Jesus comes among us
to help us serve you and people.
May he overcome in us and in the world
the temptation to be rich,
powerful and influential
rather than good and just.
May we learn from him
to do your will and seek your happiness,
for you are our God for ever. R/ Amen.

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer

Let us thank the Father for having given us Jesus as one of us. He overcame temptation, and because of him we too can resist evil and live for all that is good.

Invitation to the Lord's Prayer

With Jesus our Lord
let us pray to our Father in heaven
that we may stand the test
of all temptations: R/ Our Father...

Deliver Us

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil
and grant us peace with you,
with ourselves and one another.
In the necessary tests of life,
keep us loyal to you
and do not allow us
to trample anyone underfoot.
Help us to build up together
your kingdom of justice and love
until you will bring everything to completion
through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...

Invitation to Communion

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil
and grant us peace with you,
with ourselves and one another.
In the necessary tests of life,
keep us loyal to you
and do not allow us
to trample anyone underfoot.
Help us to build up together
your kingdom of justice and love
until you will bring everything to completion
through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...

Prayer after Communion

Faithful God,
your Son Jesus was faithful to you and his mission,
even at the cost of his life.
May we go his way of loyal love
to you and to our brothers and sisters.
May we always choose you and life
rather than sin and death
and prefer the good of those around us
above our selfish interests,
as Jesus did, your Son,
who lives with you and with us
now and for ever. R/ Amen.

Blessing

In this eucharist we have looked at Jesus
and saw how he went through our temptations
and overcame them.
We have looked at Jesus
and in him we recognize our true selves.
He is the kind of person we, each in one's own way,
have to try to become.
During our forty days of Lent
we keep looking at him
and try to become more like him,
with the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.

Let us go in peace
to love and serve the Lord in one another. R/ Thanks be to God.