Wednesday Gospel Webinar Portsmouth Diocese – Formation for Mission

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Literal meaning Where? Matthew 4 – the wilderness – not far from the Jordan? When? After the baptism of Jesus (Mt. 3: 13-17) What? Jesus led by the Spirit is tempted by the devil Who? Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the devil, then angels How? 3 temptations, after 40 days and 40 nights of fasting Why? Jesus the new Adam freely obeys God’s plan of love

Revisiting the history of Israel The garden vs the wilderness 40 days for 40 years Manna: does God provide? Temple: putting God to the test Worship: covenant and promise Land

Are these temptations real? Finding God Are these temptations real? Attraction? Within reach? Harmless looking? A test of faithfulness to his assumed humanity and to the Father’s plan: they reveal Jesus.

Finding the human person Temptations against: Faith: making oneself, rather than God, the finality of faith Hope: falling into despair or presumption Charity: fighting evil not with love, but with evil

The 3 temptations and their remedies in the Church, the new Israel: Finding the Church The 3 temptations and their remedies in the Church, the new Israel: Material goods: fasting Presumption / despair: prayer Worshipping idols: almsgiving

Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus.   Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us. Amen. Alleluia!

Acknowledgments Mosaics artworks: © Fr Marko Rupnik and Centro Aletti www.centroaletti.com With gratitude to the Wednesday Word www.wednesdayword.org