Homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent, February 22nd, 2026

We need to start our reflection on temptations with some solid good news: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 

The gospel passage of every first Sunday of Lent describes how Jesus was tested by Satan at the beginning of his public ministry. However, Satan continued to put Jesus to the test throughout his public ministry and up to his weakest point as he was dying on the cross: “…if you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” (Matthew 27:40) 

We, who claim to love Jesus, should not have any doubt as to the reason why he was tested in every way: it is out of love for us, to teach us how to be victorious every time we are tempted, be it by Satan or, believe it or not, by God himself! 

We have several examples of God putting his people to the test. He put Abraham to the test (Gen 22:1) by asking him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. He put the whole people of Israel to the test for 40 years (Deut. 8:2). He tested Job (Job 23:8-10). He put St. Paul through a prolonged test: “…because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.” (2 Cor. 12:7). 

In all these cases, the Lord puts his love on full display to elicit obedience, trust, faith, endurance and humility. 

Another source of comfort must be that, as with Jesus, it is the Holy Spirit who leads us into the desert of this Lenten Season to be tested and to teach us how to be victorious.  

Satan tested Jesus to see if he could get him to divert from the Father’s plan, to discard the cross in favor of the easy solutions suggested by him by twisting the very words of Holy Scripture. 

Thus, whenever we are confused, we should ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to be guided exclusively by the Word of God correctly proposed by the teaching authority of the Church.  

Like Jesus, we ought to hunger for God, for his Word and for his Law beyond earthly “bread” and the passing things of this world which can never satisfy our spiritual hunger. 

Jesus proves to us that the menacing, winding, arduous path of the cross, paved with “silences of God,” persistent doubts, thick darkness and letdowns, is the correct path to glory. 

Jesus gives us firm evidence that the narrow gate must be crossed with courage, perseverance and unwavering hope. Portents and sensational, dazzling feats are found only on the wide road leading to perdition. 

Furthermore, in his victory over the third temptation, Jesus reminds us forcefully that we must worship God alone. 

Worship is due to God alone! This explicit order has more reassuring implications than we can think of, and they are all comforting. Far from being God’s equal, Satan is one of his creatures. The Lord uses him to test us whenever he sees fit. Satan cannot tempt us beyond our ability to resist and be victorious. “We are never tempted beyond our capability to withstand the temptation. 1 Cor. 10:12-13. 

In his 1st letter, John reminds us of this. You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, for the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4). The pronoun “them” refers to the spirits of darkness.  

Satan, THE liar, lies again: All the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence belong to God, not to him.  

I am deeply convinced that, whenever we are tempted to find happiness in any earthly kingdom however magnificent it might seem, the Holy Spirit hurries to keep us from bitter disappointments as he directs us to Jesus, the only Source of true happiness. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 

Thus, we begin this Lenten Season with the comforting knowledge that in the desert of temptation we are assisted by the Holy Spirit and surrounded by the boundless love of the Holy Trinity.  

Because we are indeed the adopted sons and daughters of God, most likely, Satan will not suggest us to do something evil but something very good although outside of divine will. Suggestions of doing something evil, Satan might reserve for those who are already his. 

According to God’s plan and the laws of nature, a lot of time and work is involved in getting a simple loaf of bread. Lasting conversions are done not by sensational feats but by the painstaking work of missionaries. Lasting happiness is reserved for those who serve God hidden in the humble features of the needy.  

Accordingly, our share in the resurrection and glory of the Lord will be ours only after we have carried our cross and followed Jesus, trustingly, all the way to Calvary.