Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Bishop of Parramatta
Homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent, Year C
Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13
Conquering the forces of evil by Christ’ s self-emptying love
Dear brothers and sisters,
In a time of global uncertainty and turmoil such as the time we are living at the moment, it is easy for us individually and collectively to withdraw into a default position of self-interest and isolationism. This preoccupation with domestic and personal agenda can come at a great cost for those who depend on our solidarity. On the global stage, we think of those who suffer from war and violence such as the people of Gaza and Ukraine. It is hoped that they do not feel abandoned by the international community. But even closer to home, with Australia’s overseas aid budget shrunk to an historic low, many faith-based partners including Caritas Australia struggle to meet the needs in our region.
As followers of Christ and catalysts for the reign of God, we are called to transcend such a default position. The Word of God on this first Sunday of Lent is a summons for us to work towards a divine vision where shared life, hope and love are prioritised over against individual gain and self-preservation. In Jesus, we are shown an example of living for others that is grounded in self-emptying.
In the first reading, we hear what is known as the Creed of the Chosen People. In simple and powerful words, Moses reminds the hitherto wandering Jews of the God who accompanied them from slavery into freedom and formed them into a model nation. “The Lord heard our voice and saw our misery…; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt. He gave us this land, a land where milk and honey flow.” The God of Israel is the God of justice, freedom and love. Therefore, the Israelites must embody these divine characteristics in order to give witness to the God they worship.
In other words, they must not give in to Pharaoh’s grab-all-you-can, selfish mode of behaviour. The way of competition, self-interest and zero-sum game has no more stranglehold on them. Moses urges them to form a new society in the land they are about to enter, one which will be a model for other nations, one in which the care economy and the embrace of the vulnerable will be its beating heart.
The Gospel speaks of a strengthening of divine purpose at a critical time. It tells us the story of Jesus’ temptation and his victory over the forces of evil. The forty days in the wilderness confirm the revelation he has received at his baptism. In this intense experience, Jesus lives out what it means to be the Beloved of God and the One in whom God delights. He embodies the way of self-emptying love.
First, Jesus is tempted to turn the stone into bread, thereby making his own wellbeing his life’s goal. Jesus rebukes the devil and his self-serving priority. By recognising God as the true bread, he calls us to reorder our relationships so that they are aligned to the Creator’s intention, which is the enabling and enhancement of life for all. Human beings need and yearn for more. To help save other people from hunger and misery, we need to listen to God who awakens in our conscience a hunger for justice and solidarity.
The second temptation is to be the superhero. It’s the cult of popularity, which is rampant in our success-driven society. Jesus does not buy into this illusion. He does not throw himself down from the parapet of the temple or later, the cross. He shows us the way of enduring love.
Finally, Jesus is tempted to be free from all pain, suffering and hurt. “[God] will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,” the devil promises Jesus. The implication is that if we are beloved of God, then God will keep us safe. Safe from physical and emotional harm, safe from frailty and disease, safe from accidents, safe from death. It is such an enticing lie, because it targets our deepest fears about what it means to be human in a broken and dangerous world.
Here again, Jesus shows another way of dealing with suffering. It is not a miraculous escape, an impenetrable shield and a spectacular rescue. It is, rather, the cross. He teaches us that we are loved in our vulnerability. We are the children of a God who accompanies us in our suffering, not a God who guarantees us a lifetime of security, wealth and wellbeing. With him, there is no path to glory that sidesteps the pain of sacrificial love.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Lent is a liminal period, that is, a time of searching, questioning and ultimately re-aligning our direction to God’s purpose. This was what the people of God did during their wilderness experience. Likewise, Jesus was led by the Spirit to a place where he was tested to his extreme limits. In the end, he proved himself steadfast, firmly grounded and utterly committed to the way that God had envisaged for him. He rejected the way of control, power and self-preservation. He chose decisively the path of self-emptying, of giving himself to others in love, justice and compassion.
That is also the path of discipleship. To be a disciple is to choose an alternative mode of thinking and living quite contrary to our default position of safety, security and comfort. Let us embrace this way of the humble Servant with courage, faith and perseverance. Let us bet our lives on the self-emptying love of God in Christ.
