In today's gospel, we learn about how Jesus was tempted in the desert and showed His complete trust in God.
Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and our minds. Fill us with your peace, love, and understanding. Help us to hear God's message today and recognize His voice in our daily activities. Amen
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Ku4mIeVp4 (Attributed to Catholic Kids Media)
Show children the Go and Stop signs.
Say: Jesus loves us and calls us to make good choices. He teaches us how to live happy and holy lives. Sometimes we might be tempted to do something that we know is wrong. (Hold up the Stop sign.) We show our trust in God when we make a good choice instead. (Hold up the Go sign.)
Hold up both the Go and Stop signs. Say: I’ll tell you about a child. If the child is going to make a good choice, point to the Go sign. If the child is tempted to make a bad choice, point to the Stop sign. Give children these scenarios. After each “Go” answer, say, “Yes, the child made a good choice and showed trust in God.” After each “Stop” answer, ask: What choice can the child make to show trust in God?
• Paul is thinking about keeping a toy that doesn’t belong to him. (Stop!)
• Miguel finds Rachel’s new game and gives it back to her. (Go!)
• Sarah is tempted to tell a lie so she won’t get in trouble. (Stop!)
• Maria wants to watch TV instead of doing her chores. (Stop!)
• Carlos shares his snack with his little brother. (Go!)
Say: The Devil tempted Jesus three times. Ask: Did Jesus give in to temptation, or did he trust in God? (He trusted in God.) Jesus showed that he loved and trusted God. Every time we make a good choice, we show our trust in God too. We can ask Jesus to help us make the right choice.
Conclude in prayer thanking Jesus for showing us how to trust God and asking him to help us choose to do what we know is right.
Father in heaven, for the sake of bringing others closer to you, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen
