At the beginning of Lent, the Gospel takes us into the desert with Jesus. He is led by the Spirit, not into comfort, but into trial. This is important. The desert is not a mistake or a punishment. It is a place of truth, where distractions fall away and the heart is revealed. Lent invites us into that same space — not to escape the world, but to face ourselves honestly before God.

Jesus is tempted in three ways: with bread, with power, and with glory. These are not strange temptations. They touch our daily life. We are tempted to put our needs first and forget others. We are tempted to control, to dominate, to seek quick solutions. We are tempted to look for recognition and security apart from God. The devil’s voice sounds reasonable, even religious at times. Yet Jesus responds calmly, firmly, and always with the Word of God. He shows us that true strength is not in having more, but in trusting the Father.

This Gospel challenges us to ask serious questions during Lent. What truly feeds my life? Whom do I really serve? Where do I seek my security? Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are not empty practices. They train the heart to choose God again. Lent is not about proving how strong we are. It is about learning, with Jesus, how to remain faithful when it would be easier to choose another way. If we walk this desert honestly, we will discover that God does not abandon us there. Like Jesus, we will find that angels come — often quietly — to serve and strengthen us.