On the first Sunday of Lent, the liturgy invites us to reflect on the temptations that Jesus experienced and that we also face on the journey of life. I like to view these temptations from the perspective of scouting because in our scout life, we may experience them—in fact, we do experience them. Therefore, in the spirit of scouting, let us face temptations, fight against them, and find solutions in Jesus.
In the first temptation, the devil asks Jesus to turn stones into bread. This temptation represents the desire to have everything immediately, to always be doing something in the hope of gaining more from our scout group and continuously feeding our young people engaged in scouting. Jesus responds that “man does not live by bread alone,” which means that today it is essential to nourish our souls—to find moments for reflection, prayer, sharing of faith, and discovering the Word of God and the teachings of the Church. Let us not fall into the temptation of wanting everything, but instead, find the solution in nourishing our souls.
In the second temptation, the devil tempts Jesus with power and possession, and Jesus responds that only God should be honored and worshiped. This temptation in scouting is very subtle—it is the desire to always be the leader, to make all the decisions, and to have power over others. However, the solution that Jesus gives us is to recognize Him as our teacher and leader and to learn from Him, who “washed the feet of His disciples.” A true scout leader is called above all to serve, protect, encourage, and love their group. Only then will they have the right kind of power—the power of tenderness, love, and hope, which is what young people deeply desire in their hearts today.
In the third temptation, the devil dares Jesus to put God to the test. Once again, Jesus does not fall into temptation but reacts with a solution; He tells the devil that we must not test God but love Him. This temptation in scouting can manifest as the belief that God does not exist or that He is not important. In today’s society, scouts are called to have a strong and clear response to this temptation of the world. Their response must be the courage to bear witness to their encounter with Jesus, the strength of faith, and the recognition that the Church is a mother and teacher of life.
In light of this Sunday’s Gospel, we must not fear temptations because the Lord teaches us the way to overcome them, to conquer them, and thus to live our journey of life in the light and beauty of love—for ourselves, for others, and for God.
Have a blessed Lenten journey!