This Sunday's Gospel Reading as a Gateway to a Fruitful Lent

Today's Sunday Gospel Reading (Mt. 4:1-11), I would submit, offers in the quotations of Jesus when rebuking Satan, three starting points for fruitful Lenten meditation. The following brief comments on these passages are simply my own meditations, and hold no independent authority:

• "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Deut 8:3)

In Lent we are encouraged to give up our attachment to physical pleasures and sustenance (bread) in order to better pursue the spiritual goods of faith in God and his saving message (every word...).

• "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (Deut 6:16)

Putting God "to the test" is roughly equivalent to demanding that he reveal himself dramatically. True faith, however, does not demand signs from God but rather accepts the tests and trials he gives to us.

• "'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." (Deut 6:13)

The fulfillment of our Lenten penance and devotion is a contrite and pure heart prepared to worship God at Easter. Serving God represents our full flourishing as human persons, and is a foretaste of heaven.

A close reading of Deuteronomy chapters 7-9 might also be a good way to prepare for this Gospel text.