Dt 26,4-10; Sal 90 (91); Rm 10,8-13; Lc 4,1-13

In this year C we hear the account of the trial in the desert according to Luke, which presents a special perspective with respect to the other Synoptics. Jesus is tested by the devil, a term that the third evangelist rarely uses in his story. He usually prefers to use more typical names of the Biblical and Jewish tradition. “Devil” is the Greek word, which literally designates the one who interposes to separate. Twelve times this word is used in Luke: here, in the desert, then in the explanation of the parable of the sower. The first test – Jesus will then say – evokes the «fallen seeds along the road that have listened to the Word, but then the devil comes and takes away the Word from their hearts» (cf Lk 8,12). The great Divider tries to separate the Son from the Father taking the Word away from the ground of his heart. Jesus remains a Son because he knows how to keep the word of God in the depth of his own being. “Keep the Word in your heart and the Word will keep you in the relationship with God,” said the Pseudo-Macarius—a good guide for living the Lenten journey: allowing the word of God to be on our lips because first we allowed it to descend into the secret of the heart (see Rom 10,8).

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey