Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis
Fr. Justine John DYIKUK
Dear friends in Christ,
On the First Sunday of Lent, Year A (22 February 2026), I bring you greetings and God’s blessings!
Theme: Beyond the devil’s lies, half-truths and spin!
Introduction
Friends in Christ,
Beloved in Christ, Ash Wednesday ushered us into another Lenten Season – a Holy Season which invites us to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Our first reading discloses the story of the abysmal fall of man. In the second reading, St. Paul reassures that although sin came to the world through one man, Adam, salvation has been brought through one man, Jesus. The gospel points to Jesus, the bearer of the New Covenant, who overcame temptations, teaching us how to.
Review of the Readings
The first reading (Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7) tells the profound story of humanity’s fall from grace. It describes how Adam and Eve were deceived by the devil into eating the forbidden fruit. The narrative explains how the tempter led Eve astray, and she then persuaded Adam to partake as well. Drawn to the tree’s appealing appearance, they succumbed to temptation. Soon after, they became aware of their nakedness and crafted loincloths from fig leaves to cover themselves.
In the second reading (Romans 5:12-19), St. Paul reassures that although sin entered the world through one man, Adam, salvation has been brought through one man, Jesus. He emphasised that Jesus would cause everyone to reign in life who receives the gift that he does not deserve, being made righteous. He surmised that just as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
In today’s gospel reading (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus is tested in the desert with three temptations. First, the devil asks him to turn stones into bread, but Jesus responds that “Man does not live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” In the second test, the devil challenges him to jump from the Temple, claiming that scripture assures divine protection. Jesus replies, “You must not put the Lord your God to the test.” Finally, the devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth in exchange for worship. Jesus firmly states, “You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.” Through these challenges, Jesus proves his commitment to God and his identity as the Son of God.
Takeaway Lessons
1. The temptation of Adam and Eve in the first reading and that of Christ in the gospel urge us to resist the concupiscence of the eyes, the sins of the flesh, and the pride of life.
2. The message of St. Paul in the second reading calls us to imitate Christ the New Adam, who pleads for us to become God’s righteousness.
3. We are reminded that fasting and prayer remain our most potent ancient artillery for fighting the devil, urging us to depend on the daily reception of the Eucharist and penance.
4. In a world where many are seeking short-cuts offered by the devil to make it through life, Jesus wants us to acknowledge him by avoiding the worship of false gods, remaining steadfast to the end.
5. In the face of temptations, we are reminded about Robin Sharma’s blockbuster book “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari,” which talks about four interior empires wherein lies the DNA of greatness, namely – Mindset (Psychology), Heartset (Emotionality), Soulset (Spirituality), and Healthset (Physicality).
Conclusion
You may have faced betrayal, loss, illness, or financial struggles. Remember, these challenges are temptations. Beyond the devil’s lies, half-truths and spin, you have the inner strength to develop a strong mindset, heartset, soulset, and healthset. While God allows us to be tested, He does not tempt us. The scripture says: “My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing” (Sirach 2:1). It also assures that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life do not come from God but the devil (Cf. 1 John 2:16). May God help us to resist evil through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Amen!
