As we start the season of Lent, we join Jesus in the desert. After the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, He was led into the desert, and there, the devil was waiting for his chance to disturb Jesus, to discourage Him and to tempt Him.

Like Jesus, we must know the nature of the devil’s temptations today. He comes in the form of seemingly harmless, nice, blissful things. “How can this relationship be wrong when it feels so right? Am I not free to do with my body whatever I want? Why should I listen to authority in my family or community, when in fact I am old enough to decide? If I cannot tell the truth, there is nothing wrong with white lies! Why share when I worked hard for all these?” These are questions we have heard at least once before, perhaps the same questions we have asked ourselves at one point in time before; these are also points of reflection for all of us today as we enter the season of Lent – praying as we should, fasting as we must, and giving alms as we are encouraged – to have the wisdom of Jesus to overcome life’s challenges and temptations.

This Lent, I invite you to pray for our seminarians. We often find ourselves saying: “I will be praying for you, it is the least that I can do; without realizing that that is not true. Prayer is powerful – it is the most that we can do for one another!” May our seminarians, because of our prayers, be strengthened in their vocation, and in their commitment to serve the Church, especially the Diocese of Oakland. We need to pray for them, that they may be able to overcome temptations, and be the good and holy priests we hope them to be.

We also have the opportunity this Lent join our campaign “Feed your Body, Feed your Soul” through the Fish Fry and Stations of the Cross on Fridays of Lent.

These, and many other initiatives this season of Lent, are meant to open our eyes to the truth about God’s love, and the deceitful face of impending dangers that comes from daily temptations. Every day as we say, “lead us not into temptation”, let us also say “help me see temptations for what they really are” – ugly deceptions that only seek to destroy our faith and relationships.

Like Jesus who was tempted after His baptism, we are tempted by the devil because we are also baptized, because we already belong to God. Like Jesus who drew strength from His baptism, let us also pray that we may be victorious over temptations and occasions of sin as we strive to remain faithful to our union with the Father who loves us greatly.

Let us all dive deeper into Lent by praying, fasting and almsgiving.

Sempre grato,
Father Erick

(For the 1st Sunday of Lent)