March 9, 2025 – First Sunday of Lent

Our Great Journey

This week is Our Great Journey at Church.

The theme is “Forty Days” based on Luke 4:1-13 / Lucas 4:1-13

All pray the Sign of the Cross

Lord Jesus Christ, as we look at the crucifix, we remember your suffering, we see your love. May this reminder of your sacrifice help us to give ourselves to others. May we become more loving. Amen.

In addition to our prayers from the heart, our prayer for March is The Rosary. Pray one decade. Children should know which prayers to pray on the beads. www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary

Using the Bible, invite a family member to read the Gospel aloud.

Things to talk about:

What were the three temptations of Jesus in the desert. What are the greatest temptations you face?
This Gospel begins by saying that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit when he returned from the Jordan. Do you think the Holy Spirit helped Jesus resist the devil’s temptation? In what way can the Holy Spirit help us to resist temptation?
What would being in the desert for 40 days be like?
Jesus really knows the Scriptures. Each time the devil tempts Jesus, Jesus responds with a Scripture passage. What is one thing you can do to grow in your knowledge of Scripture?

Things to do:

What color is the vestment the priest is wearing today? This color represents the liturgical season we are in, Lent. Why do you think the Church uses purple for Lent?
At Mass, the bread, which is in the form of a small white host, becomes the Body of Christ. This happens during the consecration. Watch how carefully the priest holds the host during the Eucharistic prayer.
Examination of Conscience—when we choose to sin, we move farther away from Jesus and can confuse others about what it means to be a Christian. One way to reflect on our actions is by participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. An examination of conscience helps us to reflect on how we have or haven’t followed Jesus’ teachings. Based on this Gospel, consider: How do my words or actions tell others about Jesus? Have there been times when you wish you thought before speaking? Have you harmed another with your words? Plan on attending the Lent Penance Service on March 11.
Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert. Pick one day this week and fast from something (i.e., TV, social media, a particular food or drink, etc.). Offer the fast for a particular prayer intention (i.e., the health of a grandparent, a neighbor going through a rough time, for someone to come to know Jesus, etc.).

Closing Prayer

We Hunger and Thirst for Holiness

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation: you make us hunger and thirst for holiness.
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation: you call us to true fasting:
to set free the oppressed, to share our bread with the hungry,
to shelter the homeless and to clothe the naked.
Help us grow closer to you this Lent. Amen.

Adapted from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers.)

Name those who need our prayers.

Catholic Insights

JWe begin this journey of Lent with a reminder to always put our trust in God. Many things distract us, but Jesus is our model of what it means to remain faithful to God. The Church gives us practices: prayer to strengthen our spirit, fasting to discover what is really important in our life and giving, to help us share with those in need.

Each year on the first Sunday of Lent, we hear about Jesus’ temptation in the desert. The devil tempts Jesus three times. The first temptation is food. Many are hungry; for food for their body and many experience a spiritual hunger. God promises that we will have enough to fill all our hungers. The next temptation is power. Many of us want power to make things happen our way. Jesus teaches us that only God is in control of our lives. We can cooperate with God’s plan by looking to what God wants, not what we want. In the third temptation, the devil asks Jesus to throw himself down from the parapet. Jesus teaches that we may not always be well or safe, but no matter what happens, God will take care of us.

Almost daily, we face temptations. But we can look to Jesus’ examples. Placing our trust in God, we will overcome challenges and temptations and get through times of hunger and fear and make good choices. Lent is a time for us to grow to be more like Jesus through prayer, reading the Scriptures, fasting from what distracts us from God and giving more to others. (Time and presence are great gifts we have to offer to others.)

Did you know….The word “Lent” comes from an old English word *lencten* which means to lengthen. It refers to the lengthening of days in springtime. Over time, this secular word became synonymous with the liturgical season of Lent, which happens during spring.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection