Today we begin our Lenten Journey to
Jerusalem.

As we travel alongside Jesus over these weeks we will reflect upon our own communities of today.  On this first Sunday of Lent we go with Jesus into the wilderness as he reflects on his
ministry.

What is God calling him to do and be?

What kind of Messiah is he?

These stones remind us of the stones Jesus was tempted to turn into bread. Feeding the hungry is such a worthy cause yet Jesus rejected the way of sensationalism. Instead He took the downward path of walking alongside and
sharing with the needy and challenging those who promoted the status quo.  Let us reflect on the journey of our faith into our communities. What is God calling us to do? Is it enough simply to feed the hungry? What might we do to challenge the causes of hunger and poverty today?  What must change in our society for all to know
fullness of life?  Jesus turned his back on the easy life he was tempted to follow to take the path of self-sacrificial love.

 Luke 4:1-15

1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ” 5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” 9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ 11 and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. 14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by
everyone.