First Sunday of Lent 2025


A few years back, I found myself on a road trip with my friend Cindy. 

Her daughter, Maria, was chasing her acting dreams, performing in Jesus Christ Superstar at a summer stock theater up in Michigan. 

Cindy invited me along, and I thought, "Why not?" 

The drive was long—miles of open road, changing scenery, the radio humming in the background. We had plenty of time for conversation, for laughter, for moments of quiet reflection, and, yes, a few unexpected detours along the way. 

You really get to know someone when you travel with them, right? 

How they handle the unexpected, the delays, those sudden turns you didn’t see coming.

And it struck me: you also get to know Jesus when you journey with Him. That's what this season of Lent is all about—a journey, a pilgrimage of faith alongside Jesus. 

And here we are, on this First Sunday of Lent, stepping into the desert with Him. He’s just been baptized, and now the Spirit leads Him into the wilderness, for forty long days and nights of fasting and testing.

This resonates deeply with the story of Israel, doesn't it? 

Wandering in the wilderness for forty years, a whole generation learning, often the hard way, what it truly means to trust in God’s provision. 

Yet, where Israel faltered, where doubt crept in, Jesus stands firm.

In the Gospel, we hear about the devil’s temptations—temptations that strike at the core of human desires: comfort, power, security. 

“Turn these stones into bread,” the tempter whispers. 

“Bow down and worship me, and I will give you all the kingdoms of the world.” 

“Throw yourself from the pinnacle of the temple; let the angels catch you.” 

Each temptation is a challenge to Jesus’ identity, a test of His trust. 

And each time, Jesus responds not with his own power but with the Word of God. 

He refuses, not because the temptations are trivial, but because His trust in the Father outweighs the allure of worldly promises. He reminds us that true fulfillment comes from God alone.

Every journey has its bumps in the road. On that trip with Cindy, we hit some traffic, sure. We probably got a little lost once or twice, debated where to stop for lunch, little things, right? 

But they colored the experience, shaped the memories. Our Lenten journey is no different. 

We will face our own struggles—temptations that pull us away from God, frustrations that test our patience, moments of doubt that whisper in our ears.

So, the question I want to pose to each of us today is this: will we let these challenges draw us closer to Jesus, or will we allow them to push us further away? 

Let's not just hear these words; let's truly reflect on where we are in our own spiritual journeys right now.

The readings today offer us three guiding lights for this journey:

  1. Remember where we’ve been. Just as Moses called Israel to remember their liberation from slavery, we too need to remember God’s faithfulness in our own lives. 

Think of the times God has shown up for you. Maybe it was in a moment of crisis, maybe it was in a quiet moment of grace. 

Our faith is rooted in these memories of God’s presence. Recall those moments. Share those stories. This strengthens our faith.

  1. Trust God along the way. The Psalmist cries out, “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.” 

In the quiet moments of prayer, in the uncertainty of our decisions, in the face of temptation, we must turn to God and trust in His guidance. 

Imagine a time when you felt lost, and God provided direction. Hold onto that feeling during this Lent.

  1. Confess our faith. Paul reminds us that salvation comes through belief in our hearts and confession with our mouths. 

Lent is a time to recommit to our faith, to actively profess it in our daily lives. 

This isn't just about saying the words; it's about living them. 

How can you embody your faith this week, perhaps in small acts of kindness, in standing up for what is right, in sharing your story with someone who needs to hear it.

When Cindy and I finally reached that theater in Michigan, and we watched Maria shine on stage, it was such a beautiful moment. 

We saw how much she had grown, how much she had poured into her craft. 

That’s what happens when we journey in faith: we grow, we are transformed, and we encounter Christ in a deeper, more profound way.

So, as we begin this Lenten pilgrimage of hope together, let’s ask ourselves these questions:

  • Are we truly willing to embark on this journey with Jesus, with all its challenges and all its joys?

  • Are we open to learning more about Him, even, and especially, in the midst of our struggles?

Because I believe with all my heart that if we faithfully walk with Him, if we open our hearts to His transforming love, we will indeed arrive at Easter changed, renewed in faith, and ready to proclaim to the world that He is Lord. 

Amen.


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