On this First Sunday in Lent, we step back in Matthew’s story, to immediately following the baptism of Jesus. Jesus is baptized by John, in the River Jordan. As he steps out of the water, the heavens are opened to him, he saw the Spirit of God descend on him like a dove, and a voice from heaven said: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Our reading for today picks up the action with this story of Jesus in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan. Listen to our reading from Matthew, chapter 4, verses 1 through 11.