The First Sunday of Lent

The Temptations of Christ, (Sandro Botticelli, painted 1480 – 1482) is a fresco located in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.  

The Temptations take place in the upper sections of the fresco.  

• Jesus, on the left, is tempted by a hermit, (the Devil in disguise), to turn stones into bread for Jesus to eat after his extensive fasting.  
• The second temptation is in the centre, at the top of the temple in Jerusalem, represented by the Church of Santo Spirito in Rome.  The Devil challenges Jesus to throw himself down, stating God’s promise that Jesus will be protected by the angels.  
• Finally, to the right, Jesus is on a high mountain peak where the Devil offers him power over all of Earth’s kingdoms if he will deny God and pay homage to the Devil.  Jesus rebukes the Devil and sends him away.  Angels wait to care for him after his 40 days of fasting and denial.  

What things in your daily life are temptations that stop you from being the person God desires you to be?  

With God’s help, what practices could you begin that would help to remove these temptations?

For further facts on this painting see: https://www.tripimprover.com/blog/temptations-of-christ-by-sandro-botticell

See other works to inspire you

The Second Sunday of Lent

Christ stands at the centre of the icon gazing directly at us, his hand raised in blessing. He is clothed in light, the glory of God demonstrated by the mandorla surrounding his body.

The Third Sunday of Lent

It is full of raucous movement and lavish, rich colour. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine the chaotic sounds that would arise from this scene!

The Fourth Sunday of Lent

And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

March 25th – The Annunciation

We see Mary sitting at the edge of her bed, in awe of the presence in her room. This is no winged angel

The Sixth Sunday of Lent

This is from St. Mary’s Stations of the Cross

Holy Thursday

Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet, (Ford Madox Brown, painted 1852-6) is a painting located in the Tate Gallery in London.

Good Friday

This beautiful icon window is found in our Vancouver sister church, Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church.