First Sunday in Lent

“Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

The words of Christ are the words Adam and Eve should have spoken to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. “Get away! We are to worship and serve God alone. We do not need to be like gods.” They are the same words we are called to repeat throughout our lives. Satan will tempt us, just as he tempted Adam and Eve and Christ. It is up to us to choose whom we will respond like. Hopefully, we are not drawn in by Satan’s falsehoods like Eve or allow others to pressure us into sin like Adam. Instead, let us pray that we act like Christ, denying the temptations laid before us. Not selling our souls for worldly pleasures. Not putting God to the test when we want something our way. Not making ourselves into gods. Though these temptations may assault us, we must withstand them and respond with faith, hope, and love founded in our trust of God’s Goodness.

Do we ask God for His aid against Satan and his minions? Do we ask God to give us the strength and guidance we need so we do not fall into temptation and sin? How can we come to worship and serve God more faithfully?

O Lord, protect us from Satan and help us to know, love, and serve you.

Amen.