but angels ministered to him. After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee and began
preaching the Good News of God. He said, “The time has come; the kingdom of God is at
hand. Change your ways and believe the Good News.”
READ: The Spirit drove Jesus into the desert. Jesus stayed in the wilderness for forty days
and forty nights. Satan tempted him there. Jesus was also with the wild beasts. The Angels
ministered to him. Afterwards, John the Baptist was arrested. Jesus went to Galilee
proclaiming the Good News. He proclaimed that the Kingdom is near and called people to
a change of heart.
REFLECT: The temptation account as recounted by Mark gives no indication that Satan left
Jesus compared to the Matthean and Lucan accounts (cf. Mt. 4:11; Lk 4:13). The implication
is that all throughout Jesus’ ministry and journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, Satan was
lingering around. In the Markan Gospel, Jesus’ temptation by Satan and his triumph over such
temptation was happening many times. Jesus had the steadfast heart par excellence,
overcoming every temptation by Satan. With this same steadfast heart, Jesus never grew
tired of inviting people to metanoia, a change of heart. Jesus also invites us now to the same
metanoia because he has faith in us – that we can also grow from being fainthearted to having
a heart that is like his heart, strong and steadfast.
PRAY: Let us pray that through our Lenten journey, we may grow from being fainthearted
to having a steadfast heart.
ACT: Let us think of one particular negative attitude we have. With a steadfast heart that
grows every day, let us strive every day to let go of such a negative attitude.
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