BELIEVE AND CONFESS

We are in the first Sunday of the season of Lent. The readings of today invite us to reflect on believing and confessing. In the first reading we witness the confessing about how the Jewish people who were small in number entered Egypt, lived prosperous life later became slaves and finally saved by the Lord with great signs and wonders. It is because of their belief that they were saved. It is because of their perseverance and constant confessing that God of their ancestor is true God that they were brought out of slavery and able to witness the mighty power of the Lord.

In the second reading, we clearly see that by believing in Christ we are made righteous and by confessing that He is the Lord, we are saved. In our society we witness lots of violence, corruption and dishonesty. Amidst all these problems still in countries like India where there are multi religions in practice people regard Christians in a high manner. It is enough that s/he is a Christian people can trust and believe that justice will be done. Our faith in Jesus gives identity to our being. We are respected well because of our belief. At the same time we need to confess Him through our deeds by proclaiming and remaining faithful to our call.

Jesus undergoes three kinds of temptations in the Gospel. One temptation is about food, another one is about wealth and finally about His identity as Son of God. In all these three temptations Jesus nicely replies to Satan and overcomes the temptation. Food, wealth and self are the three important areas were one may get stuck most often. Temptations to eat rich and costly food may blind a person from looking at a hungry man in streets. Temptations to acquire wealth may blind a person from looking at a naked man in his/her neighborhood.  Temptations to show oneself or get a recognition may blind a person from being sensitive to fellow human beings. When we encounter these kind of temptations in life we need to be firm and strong to overcome them.

It is usual that when one undergoes suffering and dryness in oneself s/he may give into temptations. But, from today’s readings we learn that the Jewish people, despite their slavery and cruel life in Egypt still they held on to their faith. They continued to worship the Lord. This simple believing and confessing brought salvation to them. We need to respond to the temptations through our belief in Christ and confessing Him in our deeds.