First Sunday of Lent Reflections

The following message by Sister Helen Bellew, SNDdeN was provided by the SNDdeN Congregational Mission Office:
Read: Matthew 4:1-11
Reflect: Matthew’s gospel sets the scene for this story and offers more detail than either Mark or Luke.  After forty days in the desert, Jesus was hungry.  I imagine that he was hot and tired as well.  Jesus was fully human as well as fully Divine, therefore He would have experienced all of the effects of that extended time in physically challenging surroundings, in addition to the mental and emotional effects of that length of time in isolation.  In this state of vulnerability, Jesus was tempted by the devil multiple times, in ways that would seriously hinder His Mission – His Mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God, and to teach us by His Word and by His example how to love and how to care for each other.
The first two readings enhance our understanding and appreciation of the meaning of Jesus’ encounter with evil. The Genesis reading illustrates the introduction of evil into the human experience and how humans responded to temptation. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul connects the Genesis reading to Jesus experience of the evil one: “Just as through one transgression, condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all.  For just as through the disobedience of the one man, Adam, the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, Jesus, the many will be made righteous.”
Each of Jesus’ temptations would have impacted seriously His Mission had He succumbed. As we reflect on this Gospel, presented to us at the beginning of this Lenten season, what are the temptations that impact our relationship with God, with others? What choices have we made that impede our ability to be fully human and faithful disciples of Jesus?
“And then the Angels ministered to Him”. At the conclusion of this intense passage, we are relieved to know that God sent angels to care for Jesus.  God is always sending Angels into our lives, too. Might we try a little harder this Lent to notice them?    And might we try a little harder to be God’s ministering angels to others in this time of great need!
Read: Psalm 51: A Possible Lenten Prayer
Reflect: Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.  A clean heart create for me , O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.  Give me the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.  O God, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise!
Read: Matthew 4: 1-11
Reflect: At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”
Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
— Sister Helen Bellew, SNDdeN



Sister Helen Julie Bellew entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1961. She served as an elementary teacher and principal in New York, Washington, D.C. and Delaware for many years. She served as Executive Secretary to the United States Leadership of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and completed a four-year term as a member of the United States National Team of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She continues to be actively involved with the board and faculty of a Notre Dame-affiliated school, and is a member of the Life Care Network in her province, collaborating with others to plan for the future needs of the Sisters.