Devotion and Focus

A Reflection on the Gospel for March 6th, 2022:
First Sunday of Lent

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Luke
4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”  Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”


Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
 
Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
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As we enter into Lent, this scripture is a powerful one to reflect on. What stands out to me as I read it are the words devotion and focus. In a time of immense isolation and bleakness, Jesus remained devoted and focused on God, His Father, always. That is what Lent is about: being devoted to the Lord and placing our focus on Him in preparation for Easter. 
 


For the longest time, when I was a child, I thought Lent was simply about giving something up for 40 days, just to see if you could do it. Honestly, I was quite sour about it. Why would God want someone not to eat chocolate or watch their favourite TV show for 40 days? It seemed a little mean to my five-year-old self. 
 


One year when I was in my teens and struggling to decide which enjoyment I should give up, someone suggested to me that Lent is not necessarily about what you give up, maybe you could do something as well. This really changed my perspective on Lent and replaced my lack of focus with a clear focus on God. That year I decided that I would pray the rosary each day and spend some time in silent prayer. It turned out to be the most transformative and impactful season of Easter preparation for me. 
 


Sometimes, regrettably, I revert back to thinking like my five-year-old self and try just to pick something to give up without much thought. But this year I would like to be intentional about Lent and honour the gift that this season is for us. I encourage each of you reading, or listening, to do the same (if you haven’t done so yet). 
 


What can you do each day to devote yourself to the Lord and place your focus on Him?
 


Throughout this season of Lent, Lord, may I use this time of preparation as You intend me to use it. Amen.


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Megan Noye
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