Lectio Divina: For the 1st Sunday in Lent

Please read slowly and reflectively.

Slowly count to five at the end of each line.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

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 HIM AND SAID, "IF YOU ARE THE SONOF GOD, COMMAND THESE STONES BECOME LOAVES OF BREAD."/

JESUS REPLIED,"IT IS WRITTEN: ONE DOES NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE/

BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD."/

THEN, THE EVIL ONE TOOK JESUS TO THE HOLY CITY/

AND MADE HIM STAND ON THE PARAPET OF THE TEMPLE./

"IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, THROW YOURSELF DOWN."/

FOR IT IS WRITTEN,"HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS, AND WITH THEIR HANDS THEY WILL SUPPORT YOU.../

JESUS ANSWERED," AGAIN IT IS WRITTEN, YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST."