“It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’ ”
“At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.”
Source: USCCB.Org Mark, chapter 1:9-13
Hello Parents!
This is the last week of our six-week “Summer School Enrichment” for families. The Sunday School enrichment for 2019-2020 begins on September 1. Please join me on a wonderful journey as we learn more about our religion. This school year, I will be “coaching” second and third graders through First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
Last week, we read about Moses and the Ten Commandments. In a letter to children by Rosemary Gortler and Donna Piscitelli,
authors of Living the 10 Commandments for Children, young readers learn:
“To live these commandments means that we sometimes have to resist temptation and do the right thing.
Temptation is that strong feeling to do something that is wrong.”
This week, we learn how Jesus is tempted by Satan to do wrong. We see how Jesus uses the laws and Scripture given by God to rebuke and cast out Satan.
Our Prayers 
The Saint Michael Prayer
By Pope Leo XIII 1884
“Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the Divine Power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.”
Source: OurCatholicPrayers.Com
Our Readings
“The Temptation of Jesus.”
Source: USCCB.Org Matthew,chapter 4:1-11
“1* a Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2b He fasted for forty days and forty nights,* and afterwards he was hungry.
3The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.”
4* He said in reply, “It is written:c
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’”
5* Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple,
6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:
‘He will command his angels concerning you’
and ‘with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”d
7Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’”
e8Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
9and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”*
10At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written:
‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve.’”f
11 Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.”
A Reading for Children–An Excerpt from Jesus of Nazareth The Story of His Life Written for Children
“The Temptation” Pages 126-127
“If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” (Matt.4-3)
“But there are plenty of things, which, with a little thought, we can understand quite well in Holy Scripture, and God means us to learn from the Life of our Blessed Lord all we can. This wonderful fact of His conflict with the devil was for our sakes, to teach us how to meet temptation. Our enemy is stronger than we are, but he has been completely conquered by our Leader, and this gives us an immense advantage over him. For a foe that has been beaten again and again comes onto the field in a very different spirit from one who has never known defeat. We have to fight the same enemy who fled in terror at our Lord’s word “Begone!” And our Lord stands beside us always. He encourages us to use His own word: “Begone, Satan!” and promises us victory if we only ask Him for it and do our best. He has taught us by His own example that temptations are not sins; that we are not to be surprised or frightened when temptation comes; and even if it comes again and again and in different shapes we are to meet it calmly and patiently, trusting in His strength whose soldiers we are.”
We Celebrate with Music–“Onward Christian Soldiers”
From:”Bulletin Blurb” Hymnary.Org
“The apostle Paul recognized the reality of spiritual warfare when he wrote, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12 ESV) It is important to recognize a distinction between spiritual warfare and physical, political warfare. The church universal should oppose war that is sought for human, political reasons, but it cannot avoid fighting evil in all its forms through the armor of God: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer (Ephesians 6:14-18).”
Text: Hymnary.Org
Our Art Project–Jesus in the Wilderness
“At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.”
I chose to paint this watercolor in dark, spooky colors. It is simple for children to make lovely watercolors if they have good watercolor paper, and any type of child-friendly watercolor paint. Help them imagine the color of the sky and hills at night. I used a tooth brush to make splatter for stars and glimmers of light. Rub a toothbrush over cake watercolor, shake off excess paint, then run your finger down the bristles over the painting. It’s fun and it adds depth to a painting. Encourage your child to image what it would have been like for Jesus, all alone in the wilderness, with Satan tempting him. And how Jesus triumphs over evil. It’s one of my favorite Bible stories.
Methods and Materials
