" One does not live on bread alone, but on every word 

that comes from the mouth of God."

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7

Then the Lord God

Formed man, dust drawn from the clay, and breathed into his nostrils

a breath of life and man became alive with breath.

God planted a garden in Eden in the east and there

he placed man whom he had created. The Lord God caused to grow

from the ground every kind of tree that is pleasing to see and good to eat,

also the tree of Life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

 

Now the serpent was the most crafty of all the wild creatures that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, "Did God really say: You must not eat from any tree in the garden?"

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden,

but of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden God said:

You must not eat, and you must not touch it or you will die.

"The serpent said to the woman, "You will not die, but God knows that the day you eat it,

 

your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil."

The woman saw that the fruit was good to eat, and pleasant to the eyes,

and ideal for gaining knowledge. She took its fruit and ate it and gave some

to her husband who was with her. He ate it. Then their eyes were opened and

both of them knew they were naked.

So they sewed leaves of a fig tree together and made themselves loincloths.

 

Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14&17

Be merciful, O Lord. for we have sinned

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Romans 5:12-19 (or 5:12, 17-19)

Therefore, sin entered the world through one man; and through sin, death;

and later on, death spread to all humankind, because all sinned.

As long as there was no law, they could not speak of disobedience, but sin was already in the world.

This is why, from Adam to Moses, death reigned among them,

although their sin was not disobedience, as in Adam's case-this was not the true Adam,

but foretold the other, who was to come. Such has been the fall, but God's gift goes far beyond.

 

All died, because of the fault of one man, but how much more does the grace of God spread,

when the gift he granted, reaches all, from this unique man, Jesus Christ. Again,

there is no comparison between the gift, and the offense of one man.

The disobedience that brought condemnation was of one sinner,

whereas the grace of God brings forgiveness to a world of sinners.

If death reigned through the disobedience of one and only one person,

how much more, will there be a reign of life, for those who receive the grace,

and the gift of true righteousness, through the one person, Jesus Christ.

 

Just as one transgression brought sentence of death to all,

so, too, one man's good act has brought justification and light to all;

and, as the disobedience of only one, made all sinners,

so the obedience of one person, allowed all to be made just and holy.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 4:1-11

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert, that he might be put to the test by the devil.

After Jesus fasted forty days and nights he was famished.

Then the tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God,

order these stones to turn into bread." But Jesus answered, "Scripture says:

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

 

Then the devil took Jesus to the Holy City, set him on the highest wall of the temple, and said to him,

"If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for scripture says:

God has given orders to his angels concerning you. Their hands will hold you up,

lest you hurt your foot against a stone." Jesus answered, "But scripture also says:

You shall not put the Lord your God to the test." Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain,

 

and showed him all the nations of the world in all their greatness and splendor.

And he said, "All this I will give you, if you kneel down and worship me."

Then Jesus answered, "Be off, Satan! Scripture says:

Worship the Lord your God and serve him alone!"

Then the devil left him; and angels came to serve him.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Lectio Divina 

Follow Jesus' examples.

 

Read: The reading from Genesis narrates the story of the first couple

enjoying God's goodness in the garden. On their part, they need to follow the will of God.

But the serpent tempted them, and they chose to believe in what

it said and decided to disobey God. In the second reading,

 

St. Paul tells us of the consequences of the choices being made:

in the disobedience of Adam, sin and death came into the world; in the obedience of Jesus,

justification is given to all. This is clearly illustrated in the gospel,

where Jesus chooses to remain faithful to the Father in all the temptations the Tempter offers him.

 

Reflect: Sin is a choice to follow our selfish desires,

to enrich or satisfy ourselves even if it is against the will of God. We can follow Jesus' example who,

despite the temptations, chose to remain faithful to the Father and did not take shortcuts.

Life is about making choices. Our readings tell us that our choices can either give us life or death;

they can lead us to God or away from him. We are reminded to always make our choices according to God's will.

Ultimately, when we face our Father, our choices, not our abilities, will determine who we are before His eyes.

 

Pray: Father, help us to be faithful to you as we make choices daily.

 

Act: Let us strengthen ourselves by prayer, fasting, and reflecting on God's word