The Temptation of Jesus in the Desert is the gospel of the
first Sunday of Lent. The purple color of Lent symbolizes penance, but also
royalty. As we remember how the first Adam was tempted and failed his
test, we rejoice that Christ the King, the New Adam, triumphed over the
tempter. We celebrate that we, sons and daughters of the same heavenly
King, can also win the battle against temptation. A reflection on the
scripture readings for the First (1st) Sunday of Lent, Jesus' temptation in
the desert, liturgical cycle A (Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Psalm 51, Romans
5:12-19; and Matthew 4:1-11).
