1 Sunday Lent | Luke 4:1-13
Lent is a time of sacrifice, but today's Gospel reminds us that trials and suffering—when united with God—can lead to transformation and grace. Just as the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for a greater purpose, our own hardships can refine us and even inspire others, as seen in the lives of figures like Terry Fox and Samra Zafar. This Lent, as we give things up, let us also offer our struggles to Christ, trusting that He is with us, bringing life out of suffering.
Listen to homily here:
Homily;
There was once an elderly gentleman who lived in Ireland. At one point in his life, he had to change villages, so he moved to a new village and began attending the local pub. The first time he visited, he went to the bartender and asked for three beers. The bartender, a bit puzzled, asked, "Would you like them one after the other?" The gentleman replied, "No, at the same time, please. I’d like to order three beers."
Though confused, the bartender served the beers. The elderly gentleman sat there, drank all three, and then left. This continued each time he visited the pub. The same bartender would serve him, and each time he would order three beers, drink them, and leave.
One day, after getting to know him a bit, the bartender finally asked, "I have to ask—why do you always order three beers and drink them at the same time?"
The elderly gentleman smiled and said, "Well, I have two brothers who have moved across the world—one lives in America, and the other in Australia. Before we separated, we made a promise that whenever we go to a pub, we would each drink a beer for ourselves and one for each of our brothers, so we could stay connected and united in this way."
The bartender thought this was a very thoughtful and touching custom.
This continued for some time until, one day, the elderly gentleman came into the bar and only ordered two beers. He sat down and drank them, and this pattern continued for a few more days. Concerned, the bartender approached him and, with a sincere voice, said, "Sir, let me be the first to offer my condolences. I noticed you are now only having two beers."
The elderly gentleman looked a little confused at first, then suddenly understood. "Oh, no, no! Don’t worry about that," he said. "My brothers are still alive and well—one in America and one in Australia. It’s just that I’ve given up drinking for Lent, so now I only have the beers for my brothers!"
Lent, of course, is a time for us to give things up, to make sacrifices. Hopefully, we make a sacrifice that is a little more meaningful than that elderly gentleman’s, but he certainly figured out a system! The purpose of Lent is to remind ourselves of what is most important in our lives. Sacrifices also remind us that suffering, trials, and tests are a natural part of life that we cannot avoid. However, today's Gospel teaches us a very hopeful message: though we encounter sufferings and trials, God can use them for our good and for the good of others. Suffering or trials, when united with God, can actually be for our benefit.
In today’s Gospel, we hear the account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. He is there for 40 days and is tempted by the devil in various ways. This is a passage I had heard many times in my life, but for years I missed an important detail at the beginning. When I finally noticed it, it changed my perspective. The detail is this: "And the Spirit led him into the wilderness to be tempted."
It was the Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit that Christ received at his baptism—that led him into the wilderness. It wasn’t as if the devil ambushed him or dragged him there. God had a purpose in this. Somehow, the hand of God the Father was present even in this temptation, in this trial. It was for Jesus' benefit—he needed to go through this before continuing his ministry and mission.
This teaches us that sometimes the Spirit can also lead us through trials, difficulties, and suffering. However, we need to be clear: I do not believe that God forces suffering upon us. God does not cause us to suffer. For example, if someone is ill, we shouldn't say, "God sent this into their life." We live in a broken world—creation is not as it should be. Going back to the transgression in the Garden of Eden, we see that our world is both wonderful and broken. Jesus has come to make all things new, but in the meantime, suffering is part of the human condition. God does not punish us with suffering, but He is with us in the midst of it. Just as the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness and was with him there, God is with us in our trials.
Suffering can also help us focus on what is truly important—our relationships with God and one another. It can serve as a wake-up call to remind us how much we need God. Many people turn to prayer when they suffer. Suffering can also help us develop empathy; by experiencing difficulties, we can better understand and support others going through similar struggles. Although God does not will our suffering, He can use it for our benefit and for the good of others.
A few examples come to mind.
One well-known Canadian example is Terry Fox. Many of us know his story. At 18, he was diagnosed with cancer and lost one of his legs. He could have approached this trial in various ways, but instead, he was inspired to do something remarkable. He embarked on his Marathon of Hope, attempting to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He ran over 5,500 kilometers before his cancer resurfaced, forcing him to stop. Though he passed away shortly after, his journey inspired millions. His suffering became a source of hope and motivation for others, raising awareness and funds for cancer research.
Another powerful example is Samra Zafar, originally from Pakistan. She was forced into marriage at a young age and endured years of hardship. Eventually, she found the courage to escape that situation and build a new life in Canada. She pursued her education, graduating from the University of Toronto, and went on to write a bestselling memoir, A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose. Her story resonated with many, and she used her experiences to advocate for women's rights. She founded a non-profit organization called Brave Beginnings, which supports survivors of abuse. Her suffering gave her the strength to help others and raise awareness of important social issues.
These examples show us that when we are guided by the Spirit, suffering and trials can be transformed into something good—not only for us but for those around us. God does not cause suffering, but His Spirit guides us through it. And when we pass through moments of trial, Christ is always with us, bringing some good from it.
The Gospel today also connects with the first reading from Deuteronomy, which refers to the Exodus—when God led His people out of slavery in Egypt and through the wilderness. Just as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. But while Israel failed their tests, Jesus remained victorious. The people of Israel gave in to temptation, but Jesus overcame it through the power of God's word.
We are all human; we all fail and make mistakes. But Jesus, the perfect one, is with us in our sufferings. He is with us to bring good from them, just as He reversed Israel’s failures in the wilderness.
During this Lenten season, as we give things up, pray more, and perform works of charity, today's Gospel reminds us that suffering and trials—though difficult—can be opportunities for grace when we walk with Jesus. Perhaps this evening, as we celebrate the Eucharist, we can call to mind a trial or difficulty in our lives. We can bring it to Jesus, knowing that just as He was with us in the wilderness, He is with us now—guiding us, strengthening us, and bringing life out of suffering.
