Today is the 40th day of Valiya Noyambu (Great Lent). Jesus fasted for forty days and at the end of the fast he was tempted by the devil. On the 40th day of the Great Lent which is always a Friday, the church commemorates the tempting of Jesus and his triumph over Satan. After Jesus was baptized, Jesus was led up into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (St. Matthew 4: 1). We who are baptized into the Lord should not be surprised if we are also tempted like him. We should not be defeated when temptations come, but triumph over Satan; like Jesus, we are also aided by the Holy Spirit. We also see that Jesus fasted to overcome temptation, giving us an example of limitations of our own power, possessions and desires.
I ask you to join the Holy Qurbana, Adoration and the Stations of Cross will be telecast live today at 7:00 pm. and can be viewed at the following link: http://stalphonsachurch.org/live/