Lesson 1: The Temptations of Christ Bible Passage The Parable of the Vineyard Tenants. Mark 12:1-12 1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. 6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’[a]?” 12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away. https://williamshiggins.net/2011/11/06/the-parable-of-the-vineyard-tenants-mark-121-12/ Prayer PRAYER BASED ON TODAY'S GOSPEL Second Sunday of Lent 2/28/21 (Mk. 9:2-10) Lord Jesus, we thank you for the joy in experiencing your divine presence. In today's Gospel, Peter expressed his joy in witnessing your transfiguration, your divine manifestation on Mount Tabor. Lord, may we continue to joyfully experience your divine presence not only in the Sacraments but also in the manifestation of true goodness and love in the hearts of people and in various places. May we joyfully experience your divine presence as we continue to open our ears, minds and hearts to the voice of the Father: "This is my Beloved Son, listen to him." Have mercy on us all. Bless too our family and dear friends. We glorify you in the love of the Blessed Mother. AMEN. https://williamshiggins.net/2011/11/06/the-parable-of-the-vineyard-tenants-mark-121-12/ Video The Temptation of Jesus Son of God | The Temptation of Jesus Christ was tempted three times by the devil. He did not succumb to those temptations because he was strongly faithful to God the Father. He stayed in the desert for forty days in order for him to also experience human suffering. And through this experience he can show to humanity that one can overcome sufferings in life and resist evil temptations if he or she remains holy, hopeful of divine assistance, and healthy in spirituality and in one's loving relationship with God and others. HOLY HOPEFUL AND HEALTHY IN ONE'S LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH OTHERS. This video shows Christ resisting evil temptations. The video shows the black robe of the devil symbolizing his dark intentions against the Lord. Black is a color of nothingness. The devil wants us to experience nothingness or emptiness in life. WE OVERCOME NOTHINGNESS WITH OUR FULLNESS IN THE EXPERIENCE OF TRUE LOVE FOR GOD AND OTHERS. Devil Snake because it is dangerous Black because it is abstinence of nothingness Jesus In white robes pertaining to white being hope 3 Temptations: "If you are the Son of God, you will command this stone into bread." (Man shall live by bread alone, but every word that comes from the word of God.) "If God loves you, throw yourself down. His angels will lift you up with their hands." (How dare you put God into test) "If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you the world." (He is my God and I serve Him only)
