The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.'”
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.'”
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Second reading Romans 5:12-19
Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned — sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.
The free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.
The free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Jesus was led 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 splendour; 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.
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 splendour; 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.
Reflection
By Fely C. Santiago
“You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve”
Louie Giglio, an America Pastor, said “Follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail, you’ll find a throne, and whatever is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship!
Who is on that throne for you? Is it your desire to have more money? Fame? Honor? Or even a person that you’re so much attached to. We just don’t realize that what occupies most in our mind and most especially what reigns in our hearts is already our idol. Anything that you love more than God is your idol. It is something that prevents you from spending time with the Lord in prayer. It can be social media, online games, the desire to have more and hurt people along the way. Sadly today our world has created so many things that keep our mind away from God. We are reminded that God must be on that throne not because He need to, but because we need Him. He knows that if we have Him on that throne, we have everything we need. God is enough.
Many years ago I must admit that money became an idol because of my financial struggles or I should say that’s why I was financially struggling. I have nothing in my mind but where to get the money to pay off debts. I forgot that the Lord never fails to provide. And so one day I just realize that the Lord is limitless. I surrendered my financial struggles and prayed to Him ,”Lord, be the Lord of my finances. I will stop worrying and start worshipping you, I will stop being fearful, and increase my faith in you.” And when I did that, I don’t worry anymore. I just looked back at my life and count the many blessings God has bestowed on me. That what I used to worry so much is really nothing. Truly God provides if we keep the faith in Him.
What you worry is what you worship. What you fear is what you worship. Let your mind be fixed on the Lord. Offer all your worries, all your fears, all your despair, all your setbacks, all your failures, all your disappointments, all your frustrations, all your challenges and everything to Him. In Jeremiah 7:23 the Lord said, “Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper".
Let God be GOD in our lives…let Him reign in our hearts.
“You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve”
Louie Giglio, an America Pastor, said “Follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail, you’ll find a throne, and whatever is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship!
Who is on that throne for you? Is it your desire to have more money? Fame? Honor? Or even a person that you’re so much attached to. We just don’t realize that what occupies most in our mind and most especially what reigns in our hearts is already our idol. Anything that you love more than God is your idol. It is something that prevents you from spending time with the Lord in prayer. It can be social media, online games, the desire to have more and hurt people along the way. Sadly today our world has created so many things that keep our mind away from God. We are reminded that God must be on that throne not because He need to, but because we need Him. He knows that if we have Him on that throne, we have everything we need. God is enough.
Many years ago I must admit that money became an idol because of my financial struggles or I should say that’s why I was financially struggling. I have nothing in my mind but where to get the money to pay off debts. I forgot that the Lord never fails to provide. And so one day I just realize that the Lord is limitless. I surrendered my financial struggles and prayed to Him ,”Lord, be the Lord of my finances. I will stop worrying and start worshipping you, I will stop being fearful, and increase my faith in you.” And when I did that, I don’t worry anymore. I just looked back at my life and count the many blessings God has bestowed on me. That what I used to worry so much is really nothing. Truly God provides if we keep the faith in Him.
What you worry is what you worship. What you fear is what you worship. Let your mind be fixed on the Lord. Offer all your worries, all your fears, all your despair, all your setbacks, all your failures, all your disappointments, all your frustrations, all your challenges and everything to Him. In Jeremiah 7:23 the Lord said, “Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper".
Let God be GOD in our lives…let Him reign in our hearts.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we ask for forgiveness for not putting You on the throne. We worry a lot. When the future is unclear, we fear a lot. When we are consumed by a dream and there’s nothing we think of but that, ambition reigns in our heart. Lord, be the Lord of our lives. Reign in our hearts and minds because You love us so much. That alone is sufficient because You only want what is best for us. Increase our faith and may You alone be the One we worship. We ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we ask for forgiveness for not putting You on the throne. We worry a lot. When the future is unclear, we fear a lot. When we are consumed by a dream and there’s nothing we think of but that, ambition reigns in our heart. Lord, be the Lord of our lives. Reign in our hearts and minds because You love us so much. That alone is sufficient because You only want what is best for us. Increase our faith and may You alone be the One we worship. We ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
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