Our Lenten journey begins with Jesus in the desert, where he is tempted by the devil. To help us understand today’s Gospel, the First Reading from Genesis takes us back to the second Creation account and the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve encounter the serpent.
What is striking in this story is how quickly Eve – and then Adam – accept the serpent’s word. Though they lived in intimate relationship with God, they did not turn to him for guidance in the face of temptation. The Church teaches that through their disobedience, humanity embraced sin and fractured its relationship with God.
That story stands in sharp contrast to Jesus’ experience in the desert. Matthew’s Gospel opens with a key detail: “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Unlike Adam and Eve, Jesus remains rooted in his relationship with the Father and the Spirit throughout his trial. Strengthened by that relationship, he faces three temptations that challenge his obedience to the commandment to love God with heart, soul, and strength.
When tempted by hunger, Jesus responds with Scripture: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,” quoting Deuteronomy. When the devil twists Scripture to tempt Jesus to test God’s power, Jesus answers again from Deuteronomy: “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Finally, when offered power over all the kingdoms of the world, Jesus firmly rejects the temptation: “The Lord your God shall you worship, and him alone shall you serve.”
Jesus, fully human, faces the same temptations as Adam and Eve – but he does not give in. Grounded in prayer, strengthened by the Spirit, and nourished by God’s Word, he shows us the path for our own Lenten journey. If we remain close to God and rooted in Scripture, we too can resist the temptations that draw us away from him.
1st Sunday of Lent Entrance Antiphon When He Calls on Me, I Will Answer Him (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #65
The antiphon today is from Psalm 91 and serves as a reminder to us of prayer as our pathway to God. “When he calls on me, I will answer him; I will deliver him and give him glory. I will grant him length of days.”
Entrance Chant 40 Days (Matt Maher)
Spirit & Song #155; Never Too Young #173
This song was a deliberate choice for the Entrance Chant since we sang it as Sending Forth on Ash Wednesday. It shows continuity between the two celebrations. The refrain captures the spirit of today’s Gospel: Cause in the desert of temptation lies the storm of true conversion . . .
Responsorial Psalm Be Be Merciful, O Lord, for We Have Sinned (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 96
As on Ash Wednesday, we once again sing Curtis Stephan’s verbatim setting of Psalm 51, the psalmist’s prayer of repentance.
Gospel Acclamation Lenten Gospel Acclamation: Mass of the Desert (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 98
The acclamation text is a direct quote from today’s Gospel and helps to focus on the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert.
1st Sunday of Lent Communion Antiphon Purify My Heart (Brian Doerksen)
Spirit & Song #160; Never Too Young #182
Also known by its subtitle, “Refiner’s Fire,” Brian Doerksen’s ballad is a popular Lenten song with youth choirs.
1st Sunday of Lent Communion Antiphon One Does Not Live by Bread Alone [Option 1] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #66
Antiphon Option 1 from Matthew 4 is another quote from today’s Gospel.
Communion Chant Be with Me, Lord (Ken Canedo)
Spirit & Song #78
Psalm 91, referenced in the Entrance Antiphon, is also a complementary text for today’s Communion Antiphon. Here is a setting that has become a favorite with school children and teens.
Sending Forth Gracious God (Jesse Manibusan)
Spirit & Song #157; Breaking Bread #136
Jesse’s song for the Lenten journey sends us forth from our Eucharist grateful for this season of renewal.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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