It has been two weeks since Ash Wednesday, two weeks since
the beginning of these 40 days of Lent. One of the reasons Lent is 40 days, as many
of you do, is because Jesus spent 40 days in the desert. He fasted and prayed
in the desert for 40 days, and so we fast and pray for 40 days.
You probably know the story how while in the desert, the
devil appeared to Jesus to tempt him—to tempt him to turn away from His Father
and from his mission.
And Jesus really was tempted, he experienced temptation
Jesus like we do. One of the ways that the devil tempted Jesus was with
greatness. The devil took Jesus to a very high place and showed Jesus all the
kingdoms of the world. And the devil told Jesus, “all these things I will give
you, if you worship me”. In other words, the devil told Jesus, I will make you
king of the world, I will give you all the riches, and palaces, and power you
could every possibly need and more, if you just turn away from the cross.
In the Gospel today, it seems like that same temptation has
made its way into the heart of the mother of the apostles James and John. She
wants her sons to be great. She asks Jesus if her sons can sit on thrones to
his right and his left. She wants riches and power for her sons; she wants her
sons to be great in the eyes of the world.
And Jesus responds, “you don’t know what you’re talking
about. You don’t understand what is really important. I’ve not come to make
people great in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God.
If you want to be truly great, seek God’s will, not just
your own—and that means becoming as holy as we possibly can, by becoming like
Jesus—faithful, self-giving, self-sacrificing because that is what God wants for
us.
The season of Lent is a time for growing in greatness—greatness
in the eyes of God—by practicing fasting, like Jesus did, prayer, like Jesus
did, self-giving like Jesus did. So that when we are tempted by the promises of
the world, we may remain faithful as Jesus did—seeking not worldly greatness,
but great faithfulness--for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
As we journey through Lent with Christ, let us place our
needs before the Father.
For the Church throughout the world: that she may be faithful
in bearing witness to the Cross as the path to true life.
For all who face strong temptations—especially to pride,
popularity, and the desire for power or riches: that, like Jesus, they may
remain faithful to the Father and choose what is right even when it is hard.
For our parish school community—students, teachers, staff,
and families: that our Lenten fasting and prayer may shape our hearts to become
more like Jesus: faithful, self-giving, and self-sacrificing.
For those who are poor, hungry, or without security: that
the Lord may provide for their needs, and that our Lenten sacrifices may become
real acts of generosity and care for them.
For the faithful departed: that, they may come to share
forever in the true greatness of Heaven.
For X, for whom this mass is offered, and for the petitions
we voice now in the silence of our hearts.
Father, we thank you for your loving care for us. Hear our
prayers and help us to remain always faithful to your Holy Will, through Christ,
your Son, our Lord. Amen.
