Our readings for this Sunday lay out the reason for this penitential season of Lent: sin, repentance, and salvation. Our first reading reminds us of mankind’s first sin: the disobedience of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3: 1-7). In our Psalm, we acknowledge our sinfulness and cry out for God’s mercy: “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned” (cf Psalm 51: 3). In our second reading, St. Paul explains that our plea for mercy has been answered in the person of Jesus Christ. He tells us that God has given us “the gift” of His son, whose obedience has taken away our sins: “For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5: 19).
The Gospel reading is the first glimpse we see of Jesus’s perfect obedience. Immediately after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert. Satan continually tempted Him to use His power illicitly, and Jesus repeatedly rebuked him with the Word (Matthew 4: 1-11). Notice how the evil one tempted Eve with something simple: fruit. Likewise, he first tempted Jesus with bread. So innocuous: just a taste of fruit, a bite of bread. But it was not about food, rather, he wanted to bring about disobedience to God.
Our humble obedience in imitation of Christ is so pleasing to God. We demonstrate our obedience when we submit to God’s will, when we choose to avoid occasions of sin and resist temptations, and when we repent from and confess our sins. This week, consider challenging yourself to be obedient, even in small matters. You could practice being obedient to the speed limit, to keeping your set prayer time, or even to your alarm clock (try not to hit that snooze button!). Each time you do, remind yourself that you are seeking to imitate Christ’s obedience. Give God a little obedience, and He will give you the grace for even more.
Dear Jesus, thank you for showing us how to be obedient. Help me to be an obedient, faithful child of God.