1C Lent Sunday homily - Jesus rejects temptations (9 March 2025)

 

1C LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 4:1-13 MARCH 9, 2025

1. STORY

There was a king who was seriously ill.  He commanded all the beautiful glasses he had collected from all parts of the world to be brought to him.  He then ordered that all of them be broken into pieces.  When asked why he did this, he replied that he would often drink to excess which injured his health.  He made a vow to never drink wine again.  To avoid being tempted to drink again by the sight of the beautiful glasses, he had all of them broken.

 

2. GOSPEL: LUKE 4:1-13

A. JESUS WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL

The devil tempted Jesus three times.

i) He tempted Jesus to seek material goods.  “Command this stone to be turned into bread.” 

ii) He tempted Jesus to seek power.  “I shall give you all this power and glory.” 

iii) The devil tempted Jesus to seek fame.  “Throw yourself down from here.” 

B. JESUS REJECTED THE TEMPTATIONS

On all three occasions, Jesus rejected these temptations.  He said, “You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. THE DEVIL TEMPTS US  

As the devil tempted Jesus, so does he tempt us. 

i) Seek material goods.  We are tempted to buy too much food, tempted to buy too expensive clothes, and tempted to buy too many gadgets such as computers, mobile phones, and iPads. 

ii) Seek power.  We are tempted to have it our way by not listening to suggestions by others and wanting to be the boss. 

iii) Seek fame.  We want people to praise us and reject any helpful suggestions that may help us to be better disciples of Jesus. 

B. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS.  REJECT TEMPTATIONS. 

i) Live a simple life by buying and possessing what is essential and avoiding having too many material things. 

ii) Live a life of service as Jesus did.  He came to serve and not be served.

iii) Live a humble life as he did.  He lived a humble life with his parents for 30 years.

 

4. CONCLUSION

During Lent, which is the time the Church arranges for us to prepare our hearts for Easter, let us follow the example of Jesus who rejected the devil’s temptations.  Here are three suggestions to help us make a good Lent.

i) Take home a small Lenten box and donate some money to help the poor. 

ii) Try to make the Stations of the Cross by attending the weekly Stations of the Cross or make them on your own. 

iii) Make a good confession during these forty days of Lent.  We thank Jesus for his example of rejecting the devil’s temptations and ask him to help us reject these temptations and give us the strength to make a good Lent.

8C Sunday homily - A good person ...produces good (2 March 2025)

 

8C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 6:39-45  March 2, 2025

1. STORY

In Abbot John's monastery there were many books with one being very rare and expensive.  One day a visiting monk walked away with it and tried to sell it to a rich man.  The rich man asked Abbot John about the valuable of the book.  The abbot said it was very valuable but said nothing more.  The rich man told the visiting monk about his visit to the abbot.  The visiting monk was amazed that the abbot said nothing about the book being stolen.  He realised that the abbot did not want to get him into trouble.  He change his mind about selling the book and returned the book to the abbot.  He pleaded with the abbot to let him stay in the monastery to learn wisdom from him.  His wish was granted and he modelled his life after the saintly abbot.  He learned a good person produces good.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 6:39-45

A GOOD PERSON PRODUCES GOOD

Jesus teaches us that a good tree does not bear rotten fruit and a rotten tree does not bear good fruit.  He explains this by saying a good person produces good and an evil person produces evil.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

SUGGESTIONS FOR BEING A GOOD PERSON

Here are some suggestions on how to be a better person.

A. TOWARD GOD

i) You should pray daily asking God at the beginning of your day to bless you and your family during the day.  At the end of the day thank him for all his love and care received during the day.  

ii) Make every effort to faithfully attend Sunday Mass and if possible, to receive Holy Communion. 

B. TOWARD OUR NEIGHBOUR

i) You should speak with kindness and respect helping people to know more, to be happier and more at peace. 

ii) You should listen to others who want to speak.  This requires your time, interest and patience.  This is a sign of respect for them. 

C. TOWARD YOURSELF

i) You must take care of your heath by eating properly, resting and getting enough sleep. 

ii) Make time to have good communication with your family and friends.  We need the support of others. 

 

4. CONCLUSION

Abbot John helped the visiting monk who stole an expensive book from his monastery.  The visiting monk did not sell the book he had stolen rather he asked for forgiveness and to remain in the monastery to follow the saintly example of the abbot who was a good person who produced good.  Christ teaches us to do good.  We do this by praying to God, helping our neighbour and caring for our health.