Sharing of life: If your group is a new one, or a group with some new members, share: name, home state, how long you have been in the parish and what you like best about the parish.

If you are an ongoing SCC with no new members, share what the season of Lent means to you.

Facilitator reads focus statement: One way to connect this week's readings is to see them as a call to be faithful to God's call or divine election. In the desert, both Israel and Jesus were called to be faithful to God. In the first reading, Moses reminds Israel of God's faithfulness to them and their call to be faithful to him. In the gospel, Jesus shows fidelity to God by saying "no" to Satan's temptations. In the second reading, Paul challenges his readers to show faithfulness to God by living what they profess with their lips.

If you have not read the commentary on the reading, consider reading it after each reading.

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 26:4-10

The book of Deuteronomy is a series of instructions or homilies given by Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land.

In this week's reading, Moses tells the people that after their first harvest, they are to take the first fruits of the various products of the soil, put them in a basket and offer them to God as an act of thanksgiving. Then during their Harvest Festival they are to tell the story of God's saving presence in their lives and in the lives of their ancestors. What follows is an important creedal statement, which identifies three important events in Israel's salvation history. First, there is a reference to a "wandering Armenian" who ended up in Egypt. This is probably a reference to Jacob and his sons who went down to Egypt while Joseph was chancellor in Pharaoh's court. Second, the Exodus is remembered as God hearing the cry of an enslaved people. Third, the giving of the land "flowing with milk and honey" is remembered. Then Moses reminds the people that the good and faithful God who entered into the history of their ancestors blessing them, continues to be a saving presence in their lives, blessing them now with a bountiful harvest.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 91

This psalm affirms the nation's reliance on God who delivered them out of slavery. He came to them in time of trouble.

SECOND READING: Romans 10:8-13

These verses also contain a creedal statement of faith by the first Christians. It states: Jesus is Lord; he died for our sins and was raised up for our justification. This faith involves "confession on the lips" and "belief in one's heart" - two aspects of the same act of faith. It is the equivalent to saying that faith has to be a "lived reality" in which the words we profess are backed up by the witness of one's life. A faith confessed and lived enables one to appropriate for oneself the gift of salvation offered by Jesus. Salvation is God's free gift to undeserving sinners. Our task is to graciously receive God's gift and then to act like saved people.

GOSPEL: Luke 4:1-13

Reflecting on this gospel, the authors of Foundations in Faith (RCL Publications) state:

The temptations Luke describes would have recalled to his Gentile audience three great temptations: love of pleasure, love of riches, and love of power. More fundamental to the story, however, is its Jewish background, which is found in the Israelite experience of wandering forty years in the desert after the deliverance from Egypt. There they were tested by physical hunger, the lure of idolatry, and the temptation to test God. Led into the desert by the Spirit for forty days, Jesus experiences the very same temptations but responds to each of them out of his deep fidelity to God. He answers the devil's proposals with the words of Deuteronomy, that passionate work revealing the heart of the Mosaic covenant. He chooses to rely on God's word, to worship God alone, and to trust God humbly. By responding in this fashion, Jesus reverses the human unfaithfulness that has ever been part of the story of God's dealing with those whom he chooses, and Jesus becomes the exemplar of the right response to God's election.

On this day when the church celebrates the election of catechumens, it is appropriate to reflect on the mystery of God's election, seen in the chosen people, epitomized in Jesus, and lived out continually by the believing and confessing church.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1. What verse, image or idea spoke to you in the readings? Why?

2. In the first reading Moses reminds the people of God's goodness to their ancestors. As you reflect over your life, what are some of the things you are most grateful to God for?

3. What might be some subtle ways that Satan may seek to pull us away from following God's path?

4. What helps you to resist and say 'no' to the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil?

RESPONDING TO THE WORD

Note to newcomers: in the "Responding to the Word" part of our session, we are invited and challenged to name one way we can act or practice the word we have heard and discussed. St. James tells us that we must be doers of God's word and not just hearers. The following are only suggestions for those who may have a difficult time naming one way to act on today's readings. Name one temptation or weakness that you frequently struggle with and make a big effort this Lent to resist giving into it. Fast one day this week for people who have little or no food.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION

Pray for the catechumens and candidates who will be received into our church this Easter. Pray for the strength to resist the temptations of Satan. Pray for guidance regarding what to do special for Lent this year. ©

P.S. If new to this process, you can be sure Satan will be tempting you not to return to your small group next week.

Suggestion for Ongoing Group

If you are ill, going for a medical test or heavily burdened in other ways, consider asking the members of your SCC to pray over you. Such prayer can be very comforting or even very powerful or healing.