杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff writer

The account in Mark鈥檚 Gospel (Mk 1:12-15) on this first Sunday of Lent emphasizes that the 鈥淪pirit drove Jesus out into the desert鈥�. There, the 杏MAP导航 noted, Jesus remained forty days and was tempted by Satan. The natural and symbolic reality of the desert is the place 鈥渨here God speaks to the human heart and prayer is a response鈥�, he observed, but it is also the place of 鈥渢rial and temptation鈥� and the 鈥溾�檇uel鈥� between Jesus and the devil begins, which will end with the Passion and the Cross.鈥� At the same time, Jesus鈥� entire existence is placed under the sign of the Spirit of God, who animates, inspires and guides him.

The 杏MAP导航 continued that the entire ministry of Christ marks a struggle against the Evil One  - whether healing from illness, liberating the possessed, and forgiving sins. While it may appear that the devil has the upper hand when the Son of God is rejected, captured and condemned to death, in reality, the 杏MAP导航 remarked, 鈥渄eath was the last 鈥榙esert鈥� to cross鈥� to finally defeat Satan and free us all from his power.

The 杏MAP导航 said when we read about the desert and temptations, Christians are reminded that by following in the Lord鈥檚 footsteps, our lives also are a struggle against the spirit of evil, where the devil can tempt us. He said we must be fully aware of the presence of this astute enemy 鈥渨ho seeks our eternal condemnation, our failure, and prepare to defend ourselves against him and to combat him.鈥� He added that Jesus never dialogued with the devil. Rather, Jesus always sent him away or responded with the Word of God. We also, the 杏MAP导航 said, should never enter into dialogue with the devil and his temptations.

At the same time, the grace of God assures us, that with faith, prayer and penance, we can defeat the enemy.

In conclusion, the 杏MAP导航 said 鈥淲e are called to walk in God鈥檚 footsteps, renewing our Baptismal promises: renouncing Satan, and all his works and all his empty promises.鈥�. He then encouraged us to call on the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary.

After leading the recitation of the Angelus, the 杏MAP导航 greeted Polish pilgrims in St. Peter's Square and recalled the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Plock, Poland, where 90 years ago the Lord appeared to Sister Faustina Kowalska and entrusted her with a special message of Divine Mercy that Saint John Paul II helped bring to the world's knowledge and appreciation. 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged us to open our hearts with faith, and that we put our trust in Jesus. 

The 杏MAP导航 also greeted pilgrims from the Talità Kum group of the San Giovanni dei Fiorentini parish of Rome, encouraging them to continue their charitable work with joy.