Posted: 3/9/2011 4:10:27 PM EDT
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March 13, 2011
First Reading: Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7 7 And the Lord God formed man of the slime of the earth: and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul. 8 And the Lord God had planted a paradise of pleasure from the beginning: wherein he placed man whom he had formed. 9 And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat of: the tree of life also in the midst of paradise: and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any of the beasts of the earth which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman: Why hath God commanded you, that you should not eat of every tree of paradise? 2 And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die. 4 And the serpent said to the woman: No, you shall not die the death. 5 For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband who did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened: and when they perceived themselves to be naked, they sewed together fig leaves, and made themselves aprons. Psalm: Psalms 50:3-6,12-13,17 R. (cf. 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly 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 my 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: Romans 5:12-19 12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned. 13 For until the law sin was in the world; but sin was not imputed, when the law was not. 14 But death reigned from Adam unto Moses, even over them also who have not sinned after the similitude of the transgression of Adam, who is a figure of him who was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also the gift. For if by the offence of one, many died; much more the grace of God, and the gift, by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one sin, so also is the gift. For judgment indeed was by one unto condemnation; but grace is of many offences, unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift, and of justice, shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation; so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life. 19 For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners; so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just. Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 1 Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry. 3 And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple, 6 And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, 9 And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me. 10 Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Study Page Overview of the Gospel: * As we begin the penitential season of Lent, this Sunday’s Gospel reading shows Jesus right after his baptism by John in the Jordan River being led into the wilderness to confront Satan. * Jesus’ forty days of trial in the wilderness recalls that of the Old Testament patriarch Moses (Exodus 24:18, 34:28) and of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-8). * Jesus’ experience also reflects Israel’s forty year “testing” (temptation) in the desert (Exodus 17:1-9; Numbers 14:1-38; Psalm 95:8-11), the difference being that Jesus, in accepting God’s will, passes the test without rebelling against God. Jesus answers the devil with quotes from the book of Deuteronomy, which in part tells the story of Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness (verse 4—Deuteronomy 8:3; verse 7—Deuteronomy 6:16; verse 10—Deuteronomy 6:13). * Jesus was tempted like us (Hebrews 4:15), but not like us (James 1:13,15; 1 John 3:5). In combating temptation, Jesus relied on his human will rather than his divine will; even so, the devil could only externally tempt him, so intent was he to do the will of God. Questions: * In the 1st Reading, Eve, and then Adam, are tempted by Satan to disobey God. What do you think was the root cause of their sin? * In the 2nd Reading, what is the point St. Paul is trying to make? How does the sin of the first Adam compare with the grace given through the sacrifice of Jesus, the Second Adam? * In the Gospel, what links these temptations with the baptism of Jesus (verses 1, 3, 6)? * For each of these three temptations: (a) What is its nature, (b) what might potentially appeal to Jesus’ human nature, (c) what price would there be for him to yield, and (d) how does Jesus respond? * Inasmuch as Jesus, as a divine Person, could not sin, what was the point in tempting him? How do you relate this passage to the petition of Christ’s own prayer, “lead us not into temptation”? * What spiritual benefit can be gained through temptation, and why would the Holy Spirit lead you (or allow you to go) where you would have to face it (James 1:2-4)? * What human need is at the heart of each of these temptations? How are these needs evident in your life? How does Satan use them to tempt you? * How have you tested God or presumed on his care for you? What do Jesus’ replies to Satan tell you about the attitude you should foster towards God’s care for you? |
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* In the 1st Reading, Eve, and then Adam, are tempted by Satan to disobey God. What do you think was the root cause of their sin?
Man––answering this question is one of the mysteries of creation. Near as I can tell, two big answers here: free will and concupiscence. God created Adam and Eve and they were good. But God didn't want his creations to be robots, so He gave them free will. He desires that we know, love, and serve Him so that we can be with Him forever. But we make choices, we exercise our free will. Adam and Eve had been given all of God's gifts: life, breath, health, freedom from pain, immortality...the list is endless. God wants each of us to love him, to direct each of our waking moments and choices towards Him––but He doesn't want to force us to love him (although he could––but that's not a loving God. That's like: "Love me, or else.") But, what happens? Adam screws up. Yes! I said Adam. Here's why: Adam was created first and knew God's commandment first and foremost (eat everything except of that tree). Adam also longed for a companion, so God created Eve and now there was a Godly family. God also made Adam the titular head of his family. Tradition says that Adam conveyed this one prohibition to Eve. Adam's job was to support, protect, and defend his family. So when the serpent came round, Adam should have defended his family! Even defended his family to the death. (as Christ, the "new" Adam did). Adam should have prevented Eve from disobeying God; prevented and pre-empted the first sin. But Adam failed in his job. Isn't the true goal of marriage and family to "get the beloved to Heaven?" But Adam did not. He chose not to. Was it for something tasty and sensual? Maybe. Was it pride or arrogance? Maybe. Here's where this "concupiscence" stuff comes into play. What's this concupiscence stuff? Concupiscence is often defined as an ardent, usually sensual, desire, longing or lust. It's the selfish human desire for an object, person, or experience. For us as Christians, concupiscence refers to what we can understand as the orientation, inclination or innate tendency of human beings to long for fleshly appetites, often associated with a desire to do things which are proscribed. (sound familiar these days in the 21st Century?) So all of the marvellous gifts our heavenly Father bestowed upon Adam and Eve were taken away. He that gives, can also take away. .jpg)
The Hebrew word for man is "adam" and the Hebrew word for clay of the ground is "adama". "Lord, Jesus, help lead this lump of clay not into temptation!" |