Sunday February 20, 2022
Theme : “ The place of the Holy Scriptures in the ministry of Jesus Christ ”
Text : Matthew 4:1-11
1. Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. 2. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3. The tempter approached and said to him: If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. 4. Jesus answered: It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. 5. The devil carried him into the holy city, placed him on the top of the temple, 6. and said to him: If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you; And they will carry you on your hands, Lest your foot strike against a stone. 7. Jesus said to him: It is also written: You shall not tempt the Lord your God. 8. The devil carried him again to a very high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9. and said to him: I will give you all these things, if you bow down and worship me. 10. Jesus said to him: Withdraw, Satan! For it is written: You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone. 11. Then the devil left him. And behold, angels came to Jesus, and ministered to him.
Let's remember:
Even the greatest reader-practitioner of the Holy Scriptures can be manipulated by the devil; our Lord Jesus was not spared. As long as we are on this earth, there will never be respite from the devil. Our strength must come from the Holy Scriptures. They must make the difference because those who put them into practice have recourse to them at all times; including during temptation. We do not pray to escape temptation; but we pray to honor God; in his love, he protects us against the tricks of the devil. The great secret of Jesus is the permanent recourse to the Holy Scriptures despite his authority and his power. Jesus could cast out the devil without quoting the Holy Scriptures. And yet, he centered his action only on the Word of God so that humanity would know that in battles there is no victory without the Holy Scriptures. Know that the devil also quotes the Holy Scriptures while distorting and twisting their meaning. He does not quote out of obedience but out of trickery to ensnare the children of God. Vigilance! Excellent Sunday. Amen Alain Louz.-
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