First Sunday of Lent

Today the Church celebrates the First Sunday of Lent. The assigned readings are Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Romans 10:8-13, and Luke 4:1-13. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 91 (Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15).

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

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 91 Be with me Lord when I am in trouble

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry.

The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."

Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live on bread alone.'"

Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant.The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me."

Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'"

Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said 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 guard you,' and: 'With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus said to him in reply, "'It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"

When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: First Sunday of Lent (March 10, 2019)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: First Sunday of Lent (March 10, 2019)

Community in Mission: The Gospel Train Reaches Temptation Station - Stay on Board, Children! A Homily for the First Sunday of Lent (9 MAR 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Forty Days of Lent & the Temptation of Christ

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (9 MAR 19)

The Sacred Page: Doing Battle with the Devil: 1st Sunday of Lent (7 MAR 19)

The Sacred Page: The Temptations in the Desert (The Mass Readings Explained) (4 MAR 19)

St. Paul Center: Forty Days: Scott Hahn Reflects on the First Sunday of Lent

Word on Fire: Three Questions from the Desert (Cycle C * Lent * Week 1)

Spirituality of the Readings: You Are My Beloved (First Sunday of Lent C)

In Exile: Images for Lent (First Sunday of Lent C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: The Testing of Jesus (and Israel and Us) (First Sunday of Lent C)

The Word Engaged: Temptations (First Sunday of Lent C)

Historical Cultural Context: The Devil Made Me Do It! (First Sunday of Lent C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by John Chrysostom (First Sunday of Lent C)