It’s amazing to consider that Jesus quoted Scripture. As the Eternal Word of the Father, Jesus drew upon the word of God in His combat with the devil. How are we drawing upon the divine word this Lent?

In the Gospel passage from Matthew 4:1-11, we read the account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert, which inspires the 40-day season of Lent. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert for spiritual combat, and His response silenced the foe by letting Scripture speak for itself.

After the first challenge, Jesus replied to the tempter, saying, “It is written: ‘One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)  

Jesus’ response proclaims the power of the word, spoken by God. It is a revelation, and one could say, a self-revelation.

The depth of this mystery is profound, as we ponder Jesus countering the deceitful one with the life-giving power of the word of God.

We recall the creation account in Genesis, in which God spoke, and life came to be. We reflect on the prologue of John’s Gospel, in which all things came to be through the word.

The Psalmist writes, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. … For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood forth.”  (Psalm 33 (32):6, 9)

Scripture has a multitude of references to the power of God’s word, as in the prophet Isaiah’s declaration “so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

This passage can remind us of Jesus’ fidelity in carrying out the Father’s will. Jesus is the faithful, beloved Son, fulfilling all of Scripture and accomplishing God’s eternal plan for our salvation.

This Lent, we can ask ourselves, how are we living from “every word that comes forth from the mouth of God?” What does it mean to live from the word of God?

One answer to this can be found in Our Lady, as the best example of one who lived from the word of God. Mary’s “let it be done unto me according to thy word” is a model for our own prayer and Lenten combat. (Luke 1:38)

At the Annunciation, Mary was presented with a choice to accept God’s word. (Luke 1:46-55) She chose to believe the words of the messenger of God. She let the power of God’s word overshadow her. She consented to conform her life to the Word made Flesh. As a result, her life became a Magnificat, a hymn of praise, and all of us are offered eternal life with the Blessed Trinity.

When we receive the word of God in our hearts and act on it with our own loving “yes” in return to the Lord, we join Mary in magnifying the Lord. When we use our freedom to choose God’s will, and let His word take root in us, we have life to the full. (John 10:10)

When we are faced with doubt, temptation or trial, we can turn, like Our Lady, to our heavenly Father, and pray with the words of Christ, confirming “thy will be done.” (Matthew 6:10)

If we find ourselves in a seemingly insurmountable situation, we can listen to Mary’s words to the servants at Cana, to “do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5) Mary encourages us, by her own words and deeds, to listen to her Son. When we put our trust in Jesus, He stands by our side, accompanying us, ready to lead us in the way of peace.

This Lent, when we are facing temptations, especially those which would attack our efforts at prayer, fasting and almsgiving, let us turn to Jesus.  

We can incorporate a daily reading or listening to Scripture to help fill our minds and hearts with the ways and wisdom of God. We can make new efforts to prepare well for Holy Mass, with prayer and silence, so we are disposed to listen to the word of God.

In the spiritual life, strength for combat can be found in the grace of the sacraments and sacred Scripture. No matter where the Spirit leads us, through deserts or fruitful valleys, we can rely on the word of God to give us life.

Sister John Paul Maher, OP, is principal of Worthington St. Michael School and a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.