1st Sunday of Lent

The 1st Sunday of Lent focuses on Jesus being tested in the desert. In all three years, the Gospel tells how Jesus faces temptation but stays faithful to God. He fasts, prays, and chooses God’s way instead of giving in. This shows us how to face our own struggles with faith and strength.

The other readings remind us to turn back to God. We hear about sin entering the world and how Jesus brings hope and new life. Lent is a time to begin again, trust God, and prepare our hearts. The 1st Sunday of Lent invites us to walk with Jesus and stay close to Him.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

1st Sunday of Lent Year A
1st Sunday of Lent Year B
1st Sunday of Lent Year C

Mass Readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year A readings here.

• First Reading: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7: God creates Adam from the dust of the ground and places him in the Garden of Eden, where He made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The serpent deceived Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, leading her and Adam to sin, realize their nakedness, and hide from God.
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51: A prayer of repentance, asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness for sins committed. The speaker acknowledges their guilt and asks God to cleanse them and create in them a clean heart and willing spirit, so that they can praise Him once more.
• Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19: Sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience, but salvation came through Jesus Christ’s obedience. Through one man’s sin, all were made sinners, but through one man’s righteousness, all can be made righteous by faith in Christ.
• Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11: After fasting for forty days and nights, Jesus is tempted three times by Satan, but he resists each time by quoting scripture and ultimately rebukes the devil, affirming his commitment to serving God alone.

Mass Readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year B readings here.

• First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15: A description of God’s covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising never to destroy all life on earth with a flood again. God sets a rainbow in the sky as a sign of this covenant, serving as a reminder of his promise to Noah and all living creatures on earth.
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25: A prayer seeking God’s guidance and asking for His compassion and love. The speaker acknowledges God’s goodness and righteousness and asks to be taught and guided by Him.
• Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22: Christ died for our sins and was raised to life, ascending to heaven and now sitting at the right hand of God. Through baptism, we are saved and can now have a clean conscience before God, because of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
• Gospel: Mark 1:12-15: This gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and his subsequent preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom. After being tempted by Satan for forty days, Jesus begins his ministry, proclaiming that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, calling for repentance and faith in the gospel.

Mass Readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Deuteronomy 26:4-10: A ceremony of offering the first fruits of the land to the Lord and giving thanks to Him for His goodness and provision. The speaker, presenting the offering to the priest, recalls the suffering and redemption of their ancestors, and proclaims their commitment to follow the Lord and keep His commandments.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 91: A prayer of trust and protection, seeking the Lord’s refuge and assistance during times of trouble. The speaker affirms their faith in God, recognizing Him as their protector and deliverer.
• Second Reading – Romans 10:8-13: Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, and this faith is not dependent on following the law but on confessing with one’s mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in one’s heart that God raised him from the dead. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, regardless of their background or status.
• Gospel – Luke 4:1-13: Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness by the devil, who tempts him with power, wealth, and fame, but Jesus resists each time by quoting scripture and affirming his commitment to serving God alone. After the third temptation, the devil departs from Jesus, and angels come to minister to him.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible is the full book of Scripture. The Lectionary is a book used at Mass that contains selected readings from the Bible. These readings follow the Church year and help guide our worship. The Lectionary does not include every verse, only the parts chosen for each day. For example, the 1st Sunday of Lent has readings that focus on Jesus’ time in the desert and the call to repentance.

The Lectionary is arranged in cycles. Sundays follow a three-year cycle: Years A, B, and C. Each year features a different Gospel. Weekdays follow a two-year cycle. The Gospel of John is often read during Lent and Easter. In the United States, the New American Bible is used for the readings at Mass. This ensures that Catholics across the country hear the same Scripture, including the readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

The 1st Sunday of Lent begins the season with a focus on Jesus in the desert. He is tempted, but He does not give in. Each year, the Gospel tells this story in a slightly different way, but the message is the same. Jesus stays faithful, and we are called to do the same.

In one year, Jesus is with wild animals and angels. In another, He speaks back to the devil using Scripture. In all three years, Jesus chooses to trust God. This shows us how we should face temptation—with trust, prayer, and strength.

Other readings remind us that sin entered the world, but Jesus brings new life. We are asked to turn away from sin and start fresh. Lent is a time to begin again.

The 1st Sunday of Lent sets the tone for the whole season. It calls us to turn to God, resist temptation, and walk with Jesus.

The 1st Sunday of Lent asks us to look at our choices. Are we staying close to God when we are tested?

Read the Gospel and the other readings. Think about how they speak to you. Share your thoughts in the comment section.