First Sunday of Lent
Mt 4:1 - 11

       Human nature is the same the world over. Each generation has persons of outstanding courage like Archbishop Romero, of great service like Mother Teresa and of supreme generosity like Maximillian Kolbe. Yet the same human nature which is often capable of such strength is also open to temptation. The temptation is to use other people and one's own gifts for totally selfish purposes. In varied disguises, the same temptation comes to each person again and again in life. What makes some people different is the choice they make in such situations.

       Being human, Jesus was tempted. For him, the crunch was whether to use his power as Son of God for his own satisfaction and for glory from men. As we hear in the gospel, he chose instead to follow the Father's plan and to give his life in service of others.

       Today, the temptation for many is to misuse their position, talent or wealth for their own benefit to the detriment of the weak, the ordinary, the less well of. The easy justification is the blasé opinion that what I have is mine and that is how the world is. Yes, but it is not how the Father wants the world to be. In the big things and small, we are asked to surrender privilege, power and popularity so that others may have food, freedom and friendship is decency and dignity.

       There is no end to what one person's courageous and generous choices can achieves can achieve be it Jesus, Niall O'Brien, Helen Keller or just you and I.

(Commentary by Tom Clancy. Taken from "Preaching the Word", Columba)