Professing our faith

First Sunday of Lent - Year C

Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91:1-2,10-15; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13

Three books from the Old Testament are often quoted in the New Testament: the book of Deuteronomy, the book of Isaiah, and the book of Psalms. That in itself is an invitation to read them. Today's fragment from the book of Deuteronomy contains an ancient proclamation of faith. From a homeless and oppressed family, God transformed the people of Israel into a nation and brought them into a land rich with milk and honey (Deut. 26:1-10).

Jesus’ test in the desert can also be seen as a confession of faith. “The man shall not live on bread only” (Luke 4:4). This statement highlights the spiritual dimension of human being. Material things cannot satisfy us; deep in our hearts, we long for God. “You shall worship the Lord, your God and Him only you shall serve” (Luke 4:8). To worship something or someone else than God diminishes the human person (see Ps. 115:8; 135:18; Is. 44:9). Moreover, idolatry leads to folly and sinfulness (see Rom. 1:18-25). Finally, “You shall not tempt the Lord, your God” (Luke 4:12). Putting God to the test reveals our lack of trust in Him (Ex. 17:1-7), doubting His providential care (Matt. 6:8).

Two temptations begin with a statement, "If you are the Son of God" (Luke 4:3.9), trying to undermine the baptismal proclamation of the Father: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22). Then, one among those temptations aims to sever Jesus' intimate relationship with His Father (Luke 4:7). Jesus repels Satan's attacks by using the Scriptures (Deut. 8:3, 6:13; 6:16 LXX). This should motivate us to get familiar with the Bible. The lesson from Deuteronomy is clear. It was by trusting God that the people made it into the promised land. It is also by making God the center of our lives that we can reach our true Promised Land.

The second reading preserves for us an early proclamation of faith in Christ. It has two components: (1) Jesus is the Lord of history and of our lives; nobody can replace Him, and (2) the crucified Jesus is alive. Paul also quotes from the book of Deuteronomy, “the word is very near to you”, (30:14) reinterpreting this passage. The “word" in Deuteronomy refers to the commandment given by Moses (Deut. 30:11-14), but for Paul that “word” refers to faith in Christ (Rom. 10:6-9). Moreover, Paul adds two more passages from the prophets (Is. 28:16; Joel 3:5) to make his message even more profound. In the book of Isaiah, God promises a "precious stone", and that promise is fulfilled in Jesus. Thus "the one who believes in him [Christ] will not be put to shame" (Is. 28:16). Then, in the book of Joel, the word "Lord" refers to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but the apostle sees in the word "Lord" a reference to Christ’s divinity. Jesus Christ is equal with God and so everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus shall be saved.

In a moment, we are going to profess our faith transmitted to us by the Church. It points beyond this world to God, the Father Almighty, to His only begotten Son, and to the Holy Spirit, the Lord and the Giver of Life. Such a proclamation of faith in today’s world is an act of courage. And yet, it is necessary. We need to remind the world that God exists and that He alone is the source of creation, redemption, and sanctification.