First Sunday of Lent
Also Read: Mass Readings for 22 February 2026
First Reading: Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7
The First Sin!
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. (3:6-7)
They were both together at the time of the temptation. (6) Then, both their eyes were opened, both knew, and both sewed together. Even though it was sin, yet they worked together! Then they were both punished together! Therefore, let us not tempt our closest ones in any way!
Let us work together to bring about good for all concerned. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51: 3-6, 12-13, 14 and 17
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. (3-4)
Have Mercy on us, O Lord!
Second Reading: Romans 5: 12-19
“The free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” (16-17)
In this brief theological study by St. Paul, he explains to us about the free gift we have through Jesus Christ. — The free gift is the grace to be saved! Through the new Adam, Jesus Christ we receive the abundance of grace and the righteousness to exercise dominion in Life! We need to first accept our Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and repent for our sins in humility.
In Christ, we have dominion in life, hence we ought to live abundantly in the joy of the Lord and His mercies! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 4: 4b
Jesus replied: “‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Above is Jesus’ response to temptation. We, too, can take the sword of the Word of God and thwart every attempt to sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Gospel: Matthew 4: 1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (1-4)
Jesus Christ was tempted in every way that Adam and Eve were tempted – the Lust of the flesh, the Lust of the eye and the Pride of Life! Satan uses the very same tactics on us today. Through taste or pleasure, through seeing and wanting to possess, and lastly, the pride of one’s own status! We can see in the world today and within ourselves too, how these three attacks play havoc in our lives! Even when we might harbour a self-righteous indignation toward someone else, supposedly not as righteous as ourselves, we are falling into this trap!
We ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of the scripture we must wield to ward off these attacks. This Lenten season let us make room for the word of God in our lives. Let us dedicate time to reading the Words of Eternal Life given to us in the Holy Bible! Let us utilize the graces poured out on us in abundance, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Have a Blessed and Holy Lenten Season, 2026!
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