First Sunday of Lent 2026: Temptation, Sin, and Christ’s Triumph
Readings and Virtual Homily for February 22, 2026, First Sunday of Lent; Fasting for Venezuela; Diablo in Snow
Readings for Mass this Sunday:
Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
Psalm 51:3-6, 12-13, 17
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
Dear Friends and Family,
I imagine the principal theme in most homilies from Catholic pulpits this Sunday will be one which examines the temptation of the Lord in the desert. It's a classic Lenten subject. I have expanded on this theme more than once in these written homilies, and intend here to take a more general approach, looking at the broad theme present in today's readings, that of temptation and sin.
The passage from Genesis starts with a description of the original goodness of creation; how God planted the garden for our first parents with trees, including the tree of knowledge. Placed at the center of the garden, the fruit of this tree was not to be eaten (Genesis 2:8- 9; also vss. 16-17, not included in today's reading). The passage goes on to describe how our first parents were tempted to "become like gods," knowing the difference between good and evil Genesis 3:5-6). Adam and Eve found this promise so -- well, tempting -- that they sinned and brought judgment upon themselves and all creation. This, of course, is the beginning of sin in the world, hence its title Original Sin. Every sin since can be traced ultimately back to this primeval act of rebellion.
Psalm 51 is famous. Sometimes called the miserere -- having to do with mercy, not misery! -- it is one of the six Penitential Psalms; psalms in which the psalmist admits guilt, even, as in this case, deep guilt. The psalmist then throws himself on the mercy of God. Psalm 51 is thought to have been written by David. By that I mean that even skeptical Scripture scholars acknowledge the likelihood that David himself is the author of this psalm.
The Penitential Psalms are noteworthy both for their ready admission of wrongdoing on the part of the psalmist and for the deep confidence the psalmist displays in God's mercy. The writers of the Penitential Psalms at times seem almost to demand God's mercy, and they are not shy about letting the Lord know that though their punishment may be just, it is too much; it must be relieved. In Psalm 51, David even bargains with God; forgive him, restore him and he (David) will "teach sinners your ways" (vss. 14-17; outside today's passage). In its themes of self-reflection, the acknowledgment of guilt, the need for reconciliation, and the boundless love and mercy of God Psalm 51 provides an excellent start to the season of Lent.
The passage from Romans reminds us of the passage from Genesis, explaining that through one man, Adam, all humanity fell (vs. 12). God in his mercy has so arranged things that, as through one man all are fallen, so, too, through one man -- Jesus -- all are granted the possibility to be lifted up, to be redeemed and made new (vss. 16-17).
Then there is Matthew's version of the Temptation. The Gospel accounts of the Temptation remind us that Jesus is fully human. If he had been immune to temptation he would not have been truly one of us. Jesus deflects the temptations relying on Scripture (vss. 4, 7, 10). A First Sunday of Lent homily of some real depth and power might be written, examining and interpreting that fact alone.
In any event, and to wrap this one, tempted, Adam fell. Tempted, David fell. Tempted, we may also at times fall. Tempted, Jesus triumphed. Therein lies our example and our hope, as we begin our Lenten journey.
So we have entered my favorite liturgical season this week and I am actually making an effort, this spring, to give something up for Lent. I am embarking on what I call the Venezuelan Fast. Since I typically eat one meal a day, fasting is not all that easily arranged for me. The Church's definition of it, one main meal each day and two smaller meals which together do not add up to a full meal -- would actually have me eating MORE than I usually eat, on a given day.
For years I allowed this fact to keep me from even trying to fast. Then one Lent, around about the time I stopped traveling regularly to Venezuela, I hit on the idea that I COULD fast. I could simply eat LESS than one full meal a day. Many people in Venezuela at the time were already doing so and not because they were not hungry. Their fast was involuntary. I figured there was something more that I could do for Venezuela besides praying and sending money; I could join the people on what they ironically referred to as "The Maduro Diet." I call this less-than-a-meal-a-day regimen The Venezuela Fast.
A fast such as this cannot be seriously maintained if I am keeping a normal social life -- that is to say, a social life that has me out and about with family and friends two, three or four times a week. In deciding to fast for Venezuela, I have ipso facto decided to fast from social dates for the season of Lent. Of course I already have a few engagements on the calendar, and will keep those, but I won't be making any new social dates now 'til April.
Finally, in the Prayers Answered Department, a friend in Brentwood sent me a photo of Mount Diablo taken Ash Wednesday morning. I might have thought I was looking at the Himalayas. Not just the main peak, not just the secondary peak, but half-way down the foothills toward the valley floor, Diablo was blanketed in white, sparkling in the morning sun. It is quite a photo -- a candidate for the cover of my Christmas card this year.
The reports from Kirkwood and Palisades and Boreal and so on have been beyond encouraging all week long. Six feet of new snow the first three days of the week, maybe seven. Two more feet, three maybe, again overnight Wednesday and well into Thursday. There was a time on Tuesday afternoon when I happened to check my phone for the weather at South Lake Tahoe and I saw a graphic -- wildly blowing and very heavy snow -- and a term -- blizzard -- that I have never seen before. In a single week the snowpack has been restored and the ground water table has been deeply refreshed.
Praise God.
My best wishes as Lent gets underway.
God bless.
Love,
Fr. Brawn