Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but also by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

After fasting in the wilderness for forty days and becoming hungry, Jesus faced the temptation of the devil. He did not yield to the needs of the flesh, but proclaimed that the Word of God is the true food.

You may think, “How can this be? This is not something human beings can do. Jesus, being God, could certainly do it—but I am not! Can one really be filled by the Word alone? Can one live without bread and food?” Such thoughts are understandable. However, Jesus was not denying the importance of food for our bodies. Rather, He wanted us to understand that both our body and our soul have their own needs, and material things alone cannot nourish the soul.

The Word of God is the true nourishment that sustains spiritual life and guides our inner growth.

We often satisfy our hunger with worldly food—endless entertainment, the sense of achievement gained through work, personal reputation, or the pleasures of material comforts and fine food—yet we neglect the hunger of the soul. As a result, our hearts grow weary and burdened, unable to discern God’s voice, because we have filled ourselves with noise and emptiness.

Let us examine our daily intake: after waking up, do you reach for your phone to read the latest updates, or do you meditate on a passage of Scripture? Jesus teaches us that we do not live by food alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

The Word of God is like manna, freshly given each day. It empowers us to overcome temptation, heals our wounds, and gives us direction.

This, then, becomes a matter of priorities. Recall how, on the second day of the retreat, we reflected on how the Lord Jesus placed His relationship with the Father first, deliberately setting aside the best time of day to be alone in communion with Him. In today’s Gospel, through His response to the devil’s temptation, Jesus teaches us not to place material pursuits above spiritual ones. When we focus excessively on material satisfaction, we often neglect the hunger of our soul.

Only by seeking the Father’s will and putting it into action can our lives be truly fulfilled.

We must never forget: the satisfaction of the body and material things can never compare with the richness of the soul.

True security in life does not lie in worldly wealth or possessions, but in complete trust in God’s love and promises.

We can place our full confidence in the Father. When we seek first the Kingdom of God and the Father’s will with all our heart, our bodily needs and all other things will be given to us as well.

Lent is not about starving ourselves, but about changing the source of our spiritual nourishment. When we make the Word of God our primary food, our ears become attuned to the Lord’s frequency. We are able to receive His voice and will not miss His call.

Let us once again savour these words of the Lord Jesus:

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but also by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

Reflection

What worldly food are you pursuing—such as online information, entertainment, or fine food—that causes you to neglect the needs of your soul and leaves your soul still hungry?

How much time do you spend satisfying your physical and material needs, and how much time do you spend nourishing your soul? What changes can you make today to place listening to God’s Word first?

Recall a time of hardship in your life. How did the Lord’s Word nourish you then? During this Lenten season, how can you intentionally seek this nourishment?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for helping me realize through today’s reflection that my life has fallen out of balance. I have spent too much time focusing on physical and superficial satisfaction, while neglecting the needs of my heart and soul, leaving my spirit dry and hungry. Most importantly, I have lacked time alone with You, and I have failed to listen to Your voice and Your heart.

Holy Spirit, help me to reorder the priorities of my life. May Your Word become my primary nourishment. Help me to understand and profess that my true security does not lie in worldly wealth or possessions, but in my complete trust in the love and promises of the Father.

Heavenly Father, I place my trust in You with all my heart, and in You I take refuge.

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Fundraising Appeal

The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” – Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” – Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
“Long Distance” by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria