Walking with Jesus: First Sunday of Lent A

For Sunday, February 22, 2026

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11


Before moving into administration, I spent the first 23 years of my priesthood teaching in Catholic high schools. Many of my classmates have asked me: Why teaching? Who would ever want to be with teenagers for that long? My response always has been the same: They’re just like each of us — they need to be loved. That’s my need and yours. Now, where did this need for love come within each of us? When we look at our Christian background, Scripture consistently reveals the answer: God is love. That’s what God does — He creates each of us out of love and places us on earth for the time that He needs us to be love for others. And so comes the next foundational question: How do I love? Is that my natural inclination, or do I need to be taught? Coming down to the basics, we need to be taught from birth. I received it from my mom and dad, three sisters and brother. They loved me, cuddled me, changed me, fed me and clothed me. My crying revealed that I had particular needs ... and they helped me. As I developed, I learned to enjoy the things I wanted to do, as long as they were OK and not against the rules.

Rules — written and unwritten — have dominated our lives, schooling, work, community life, friendships and relationships. I liked some of them, reacted to others, didn’t like still others but followed most of them unless I turned stubborn, obstinate, even mean — and disobeyed.

How does that sound? Today's readings tell us how we're unable to survive without rules.

The readings of the First Sunday of Lent remind us of the fragility of the human condition. They show us its brokenness and weakness. We are made of the dust of the ground. The creation story, Genesis 3:9, tallies death and decay as the end result. Ash Wednesday’s ashes remind us that an additional act of God is necessary to enliven this “lifeless material.” The creation account continues with the sins of which humanity is guilty and the death that all humanity faces. It shows us here, at the beginning of our Lenten journey, that we are, should, and do acknowledge — honesty and realistically — our fundamental human weaknesses. We have no excuse to offer; our responsibility is suggested: We are in need of God’s mercy and love.

It’s good to keep in mind that while seeing the creation narrative as a story is one approach, the authors want us to consider it an experience. Rather than looking at it as history, look on it as a reflection of the human condition and the meaning of the human experience: Do I see my loving God and His love for me, and His promise and desire for us to know that heaven is open for us?

The serpent — an allusion to wisdom — is not to be confused with Satan. It merely is a mysterious character used to illustrate how vulnerable humans are to temptation. We know all about this, right?  This “character” leads the woman but doesn’t lie to her. It just says that if she and her husband eat the fruit they will not die, but their eyes will be opened and they will know good from evil. It’s later that they are tempted. Now, does God put the tree there to test the couple? Or is it to establish limits to human freedom, to remind them that despite their incredible abilities and powerfulness they are, after all, only creatures of the dust and not gods? Good reflection.

Paul writes to the Romans to teach them the nature of God’s salvific grace — His divine encouragement leading us to want heaven above all else. He does this by comparing the universal effects of sin and death and the all-encompassing power of forgiveness. Paul uses the first sins (Genesis 3:6) and the common experiences of all people to explain the penetrating presence of sin and death in the world. If it wasn’t for the excellence of God's gifts and Jesus’ life and teaching, we would have no recourse to learn love and God’s love for me, you, and all. I am loved because He created me and placed me here to love. Period!

The Gospel passage is an account of Jesus’ temptation by Satan. Certain details bring into question the historical character of this story — notably, Jesus’ transport from the wilderness to the pinnacle of the Temple and then to a high mountain. Instead of looking at it through a historical lens, view it from its theological meaning. Jesus’ responses to the temptations posed by the devil harken back to Deuteronomy where Israel is tested in the wilderness. This suggests that Jesus is being compared to that ancient community. How? For starters, the testing in both accounts takes place in the desert, traditionally believed to be the living place of evil spirits. Here the normal supports of life are absent and one is forced to turn elsewhere for sustenance. Also, compare Israel’s 40 years of wandering with Jesus’ 40 days and nights of fasting before encountering the devil (diabolos), the tempter (peirazon), and then the one He finally calls “Satan.” The temptations should not be interpreted as hallucinations brought on by hunger; rather, the fasting was a spiritual discipline that strengthened Jesus for this confrontation.

In summary, Jesus does not choose to use divine power to establish His reign on earth. He chooses a different route: He opens Himself to the word of God, allowing it to direct His actions. He relies on God’s help and providence and does not test God. He does not compromise His faith in God, regardless of the price He might have to pay. What trust in God! How is my trust?

So I reflect on:

• How much do I rely on God — and am I willing to relinquish my heart and everything to Him?
• How do I return to the Scriptures with a sincere desire to renew my relationship with God instead of using the Scriptures to my own, futile purposes?

Sacred Space 2026 shares:

“A brief lesson on the wiles of the enemy is given to us today, and it may assist us in combating some of Satan’s snares if and when the evil one tries to undermine us. Note how the devil chooses a tricky time when Jesus is alone, without companions or support and probably in a weakened state through lack of food and nourishment. It’s not unlikely that Satan will try to gain the upper hand with us too. Can we remember places or occasions when we were tempted to allow the worst parts of ourselves to come to the surface?”