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Fr. Dave Heney

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Gospel Reflections for March 9 2025: 1st Sunday Lent

March 7, 2025 By Father Dave 4 Comments

Gospel Reflections for March 9 2025

Gospel for March 9 2025 – Luke 4:1-13

Gospel Reflections for March 9 2025

Temptations come and go

Lent always begins with this story of Satan cleverly tempting Jesus at the end of His 40-day retreat in the desert.

The devil knows exactly how to tempt you as well, which is always when you are most vulnerable. 

Satan waits until the end of Our Lord’s 40-day journey when Jesus is starving for food, feeling weak, and feeling alone. Satan targets Jesus precisely in those three areas of pleasure, power, and pride. 

When Jesus is most hungry He is tempted to turn stones into bread. (Pleasure)                            

When Jesus feels most weak He is tempted to have all the kingdoms of the world. (Power)              

When Jesus feels most alone He is tempted to showcase His awesome power. (Pride)

Satan is tempting Jesus to use His divine power for His own pleasure, power, and pride to amaze the world. Jesus will not do that. He will only use love to change the world, and especially the love He shows on the cross and at Mass. Pleasure, power, and pride are certainly good things …but only when used for the good of others.

Our Lord teaches that Temptations happen to everyone …and love stops every temptation. 

You are in good company with Jesus whenever you feel tempted to any kind of selfishness. Your mind is simply presenting options to you …and thinking selfishly is just one of them. Nothing wrong about that, as long as you quickly and simply refocus on love. 

If Jesus thought only of His own needs He might have given in to Satan. His unselfish love for you and your salvation prevents that. His focus on your happiness ensures He will not fall for Satan’s ideas. 

Lent is a great time to discover your own vulnerable areas of selfishness. 

Is it food or drink, bad language, laziness, envy, gossip, or some other habit? Knowing yourself well and your weak areas can help you resist every temptation. 

Lent is your time to measure your heart too. How much of your day is spent thinking about yourself …or how you can help the people around you? 

This is your time to increase your faith knowledge too. Decide now to attend every class in The University Series.  

You will always have temptations, so practice love as Jesus loved to resist every temptation and find the lasting happiness that is His will for you.

God Bless!

Fr. Dave

Fr. Dave Heney - DaveHeney.com

Filed Under: Gospel Reflections

About Father Dave

Fr. Dave Heney was ordained a parish priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1978. In 1991 he received a Masters degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from the University of Southern California. He has authored three books and founded The University Series, a Lenten adult education program. Currently he is Pastor of St. Bruno Catholic Church in Whittier, California. Learn more about Fr. Dave >>

Comments

  1. Mike Smith says

    March 8, 2025 at 10:59 am

    I liked your gospel reflections on measuring your heart during Lent and trying not to think about ourselves too much. But it is very difficult to do this at the weekly Fish Fry due to how much we enjoy it along with everyone there. But I am sure the proceeds much benefit our parish, and everyone seems to enjoy the camaraderie so much.?😁

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      March 18, 2025 at 8:02 pm

      Yes, it is the biggest Fish Fry I have ever seen in any parish. It is not very sacrificial but makes up for it in friendship and fellowship.

      Reply
  2. Kathleen says

    March 9, 2025 at 12:20 pm

    Dear Father Dave,

    Thanks so much for this reflection. It certainly has a ripple effect.

    One of the things that comes to mind is impatience. My own as well as what I see in
    others. There are exhaustive and diverse situations.

    Impatience is often spontaneous.

    In order to combat it, we really need to see it first, then take those all-important determined corrective steps.

    God bless and once again thank you for your prayers.

    Kathleen

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      March 18, 2025 at 8:03 pm

      Prayers continue!

      Reply

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