In today's Gospel Jesus is led into the desert by the Spirit, where he fasts and prays for 40 days. During this time Jesusis tempted. The word tempted means to entice to sin or to test to see if someone is ready for the task. The tempter tried to entice Jesus to show his power and to turn away from his mission. Jesus, however, turned away from the tempter and his promise of fame, fortune and power and proclaimed that his work was to serve God alone.

The readings today call us to resist theof the world and to serve God alone. We are called today, not to stand before God and the world proclaiming the wonderfulthings we have done. We are called to stand before God empty handed and through our prayer and fasting ask for the graces we need.

During this Lenten season let us take time to reflect on our lives and the direction they are taking. Let this be a time to choose to follow Jesus more closely as we serve our sisters and brothers.