Weekly thoughts on the Sunday Gospel, readings or a topic...

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seeing your life through the lens of the gospels – Matthew 4:1-11
1. In today’s gospel, Jesus is enticed to gratify his own needs, or to perform some spectacular act in public. He rejects the temptation because he chooses commitment to his mission and dependence on his Father over any immediate gratification. We can all be tempted to go for some immediate satisfaction, but is that where happiness lies? Have you found that sometimes there is more contentment in saying ‘no’ for the sake of some long-term goal? What are the goals, aims and values that inspire you in this way?
2. One way of looking at this gospel is to say that Jesus went into the desert to face his demons. We all have demons we need to face – compulsions, fears, prejudices, anger and urges that lurk within. It is in facing our demons that we find a way to live a fuller life. Can you recall a time when you grew through facing a ‘demon’ in this way?  
– John Byrne, OSA

The Deep End
Lent is a time of renewal and new beginnings. It is a time for us to enter into the suffering and death of Jesus, before celebrating the joy and hope of Easter. It is a time to reflect in a special way on God’s word. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that God’s words are nourishing – man does not live on bread alone.
Our focus should not only be on earthly things. Lent reminds us that there is more to life than the physical world. We are all guilty of getting caught up in the practicalities of life; it is only natural to work and rush and plan and worry. Lent offers us an opportunity to reflect on what is really important. The sacrifices we make or the extra effort we put in to become better people this Lent are all part of that spiritual journey.
‘We have everything in Christ ... 
He is everything for us.
If you wish to heal a wound, He is the doctor.
If you burn with fever, He is the rising spring of refreshing water.
If you have need of support, He is your strength.
If you long for heaven, He is the way.
If you seek nourishment, He is the bread.’ (St Ambrose)  – Tríona Doherty

(from Intercom)