Homily – First Sunday of Lent (A)

The First Sunday of Lent each year always presents us with the account of the Temptations of the Lord.  We have Matthew’s account for Year A, Mark’s for Year B, and Luke’s for Year C.  As we celebrate Year A in 2026, we are presented with Matthew’s account.  Although different Gospel accounts are presented each year, the First Sunday of Lent always includes the Temptation narrative.  Why is this so?  Why are the temptations so important for this season of Lent that we never omit them?

To answer this question, we might need to place the account of the temptations within the context of the Gospel of Matthew.  The account of the Temptations comes from chapter 4:1-11.  Immediately after these verses, Matthew presents a long section that recounts the whole Messianic ministry of Jesus on earth (4:12-28:15).  Thus, the temptations of the Lord are viewed as a period of testing, the final stage of preparation for His public ministry.

We see a similar concept in different spheres of life.  There is always a period of intense testing to prove that candidates are suitable for what they have prepared for.  Take academic life as an example.  Before graduating and entering the working world to take on professional responsibilities, students must go through final assignments, last examinations, and the completion, review, and defence of a thesis or dissertation.  This final stage is a crucial capstone experience that validates a student’s mastery of the field, ensuring they possess the critical thinking skills and practical knowledge required for the workforce.

If students must go through final exams, and review and defend their thesis to validate their mastery before entering the workforce, then what did Jesus need to confirm or strengthen in Himself through these temptations before beginning His Messianic ministry?  The answer is found in the responses Jesus gave to the tempter.  Let us examine the first temptation.

We heard this: “The tempter came and said to Jesus, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.’”

Loaves represent food in general.  Very often, when we hear preaching about this temptation, we receive lessons about overeating, fasting, self-control, or even wasting food.  However, this temptation is not simply about food.  Rather, it concerns choosing to follow God’s will instead of one’s own.

Eating is a reasonable need when we are hungry.  It is sensible to find something to eat when hunger strikes.  Secondly, turning stones into loaves is certainly possible for the Son of God.  Thirdly, doing so would not harm anyone.  Why should He not do it, if these three points seem normal and reasonable?  It sounds logical.  However, Jesus responds differently.  Instead of doing what the tempter suggests, He says:

“Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The victory in this response is not merely about self-control in eating or discipline in fasting, as we often hear in preaching.  It is, in fact, a victory over the subtle temptation that tries to lead us away from God’s will and toward our own “reasonable” will.  It sounds like this: “If I don’t do it, others will anyway.”  “It is only once; it won’t hurt.”  “If the crowd can do it, certainly I can as well.”

It sounds reasonable – but is it God’s will?

What Jesus confirmed and strengthened through these temptations for His future ministry was a heart firmly rooted in faith and trust in God.  Whatever He does, He does according to the will of the Father.

Lent is a period of preparation for Easter.  One cannot celebrate the powerful mystery of the Resurrection without first purifying one’s heart, following the will of God, and strengthening one’s faith in Him.

By Fr Sang Ho