First Sunday of Lent

Today the Church celebrates the First Sunday of Lent. The assigned readings are Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; and Matthew 4:1-11. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 51 (Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 51 Be merciful O Lord for we have sinned

The Gospel reading is as follows: 

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."

He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God.'" 

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, 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 with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me."

At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve.'" 

Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him. 

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: First Sunday of Lent (March 1, 2020)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: First Sunday of Lent (March 1, 2020)

Community in Mission: Flee to the Truth When Tempted - A Homily for the First Sunday of Lent (29 FEB 20)

Crossroads Initiative: Temptation of Jesus Christ in the Desert - 1st Sunday of Lent

Rhode Island Catholic: The Quiet Corner: It's time to take Lent more seriously (27 FEB 20)

St. Paul Center: Tale of Two Adams: Scott Hahn Reflects on the First Sunday of Lent

The Gregorian Institute at Benedictine College: This Sunday: Lent Is a Battle With Satan (27 FEB 20)

Word on Fire: The Disobedience of Adam and Eve (Cycle A * Lent * Week 1)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: Lesson From Adam and Eve: Overcoming Temptation Is a Matter of Prudence (28 FEB 20)

Spirituality of the Readings: Three Temptations (First Sunday of Lent - Year A)

In Exile: Our Three Temptations (First Sunday of Lent - Year A)

Glancing Thoughts: Bread and Stones (First Sunday of Lent - Year A)

The Perspective of Justice: Demons (First Sunday of Lent - Year A)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Testing … One Two Three (First Sunday of Lent - Year A)

The Word Embodied: Unmasking the Great Deception (First Sunday of Lent - Year A) 

Historical Cultural Context: Spirits (First Sunday of Lent - Year A)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Gregory Nazianzen (First Sunday of Lent - Year A)