Year A, 2026
First SundayofLent
Gospel (Matthew 4:1-11)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, ’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me. ” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
GospelReflection
Sunday’s Gospel story of the temptations in the wilderness from Matthew’s Gospel shows us that some lessons are difficult. Jesus teaches the devil. He tells the evil one that God is in charge. Jesus must decide which voices he will follow. He must learn that some ideas may not be as good as they sound. All the kingdoms of the world, Jesus learns, are no substitute for an honest and life-giving relationship with God.
Each week during Lent, Caritas Australia asks us to think about the world and learn more about our role in building God’s kingdom. Today we start with an introduction to Project Compassion, which allows us to appreciate how much the Catholic community, has been able to achieve across the decades for the most marginalised people of the world. We are all still learning.
Pope Leo XIV has reminded us that the vulnerable are great teachers. In Dilexi Te, he writes:
“Christians must not abandon almsgiving… It is always better at least to do something rather than nothing. Whatever form it may take, almsgiving will touch and soften our hardened hearts… for our part, we need to give alms as a way of reaching out and touching the suffering flesh of the poor.”
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First Week of Lent
This Lent, our CEWA community is supporting Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion, uniting in faith and action to make a lasting impact for vulnerable communities around the world.
We’ll be sharing four inspiring stories of resilience and strength, showing the kind of transformative change that we can play a part in achieving. Journey with Sisilia, from Tanzania, Monoranjon from Bangladesh, Manaini, from Fiji, and we’ll shine a light on Caritas Jerusalem staff in Gaza.
Watch Caritas Australia’s Introduction to Project Compassion film HERE to be inspired by these stories and learn about the impact your support can have on vulnerable communities around the world.
Our CEWA offices have the opportunity to be a part of a nationwide movement for change and to pave the way to a brighter future for people and families across the world. We can’t do it without youwill you stand with us?
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DONATE NOW
You can support Project Compassion 2026 through the iPad in the Leederville Staff Room or by scanning the QR code to donate.
Thank you for standing with us, as we Unite Against Poverty this Lent.