FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Today's Gospel reading from Matthew is about Jesus' temptation in the desert. He had just heard God calling him his "Beloved Son" when he was baptized in the Jordan. Then the Spirit led him into the desert. There he was tempted by Satan three times. I have heard some wonderful homilies on this passage. What I want to share is a reflection I remember that has always stuck with me and also some of my own thoughts.
Satan begins each of the three the temptations with, "IF you are the Son of God..." He is obviously aware of what Jesus heard at the Jordan and wants to test him. Satan tries to play on Jesus' weakness. He is expressing his doubt of Jesus' identity. By tempting him, Satan thinks that Jesus will also begin to doubt his own identity as the Son of God.

What about you? When, where, what and by whom have you found cause to doubt your own identity as a beloved son or daughter of God? Has there been a time when someone did not think you were good enough or capable enough to do a task or complete a job even when you thought you could do so? Did you do something to prove yourself, or did you just believe what the other person said? How did you feel? Was your self-confidence stripped away?

Perhaps there have been times when you caused yourself to not believe in your own identity as a beloved of God. You may have failed at a task. You may have lost your job. You may have hurt someone. So you put yourself down and doubt your own self-worth. You may even feel that you are unlovable. No matter what we say or do, God never disowns us and always calls us back. God never stops loving us, nor does God ever decide that we can't be God's beloved anymore. Being loved by God gives us dignity and strength to be and do all that we can in Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Often, when we are on retreat, we may given a chance to pray and reflect on how much God loves us. We are renewed and reminded that we are God's beloved son or daughter and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. We can rejoice in the graces we received because we do recognize who we are in the sight of God.

Remember, Satan will do or say anything to make you feel like an "Unbeloved" of God. In those times of temptation or doubt, allow yourself to be filled with the love of God. Hear God say to you, " You are my beloved son/daughter on whom my favor rests."