READING OF THE GOSPEL (Luke 4 ,1-13) JESUS IN THE DESERT
Jesus went to the desert for 40 days: Lent is a period of 40 days of efforts to prepare for the great feast of Easter. "The Church is united each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert for 40 days of Lent." (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
In the Bible the number 40 has a symbolic value. It expresses a test period. After coming out of Egypt, the Hebrew people, led by Moses, 40 years wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 13). Noah takes refuge in the ark while a deluge 40-day floods the earth (GN6). The prophet Elijah, threatened with death by Queen Jezebel, flees and walks 40 days to Mount Sinai (1R19).
With children, How to live these 40 days of Lent? Kids can do a lot of effort but let us not ask them too. Each will take a few well-chosen resolutions based on its age.
With children, How to live these 40 days of Lent? Kids can do a lot of effort but let us not ask them too. Each will take a few well-chosen resolutions based on its age.
First temptation: Jesus resists the temptation to live only to eat. The bread does not serve to satisfy his own hunger. He will multiply to satiate the crowd that follows him and make it the spirit of sharing.
With children , Lent directs us we also make efforts to share and fasting.
- Share for a child not only give toys which he no longer wants. It may also be to give her time to draw a picture of a patient, smile at a beggar in the street, take the time to call his grandparents, his godfather, his mentor and say a kind word ...
- Fasting can be reduced to forego candy or snack. But it is also fast watching less TV or internet.
Second Temptation Jesus resists the temptation to gain power. He chose to live in simplicity, with the poor, the sick.
With Children. Children dream of becoming king, to have power and money. The humility and simplicity, the example of Jesus, are virtues to encourage in children. During Lent, most often open the book of God's Word to our children to read stories that show the gospel of Jesus' humility, his loving gaze landed on the poor, the sick, the outcast.
Third temptation Jesus resisted the temptation to put God to the test. We too are invited to resist the temptation to seek God's protection for granted in our prayer asking that he uses his power only for our own benefit.
With Children, Family recite each day of Lent "LA" Our Father in prayer asking God to us not into temptation.
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