"God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted as we are. Guide us through this season, that we may not avoid struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, through the cleansing depths of repentance and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen."
In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus is tempted by the Devil, challenged, and made to engage in spiritual combat with evil possibilities. We, too, are a battleground; each one of us has conflicts that can be seen as beasts or angels surrounding us seemingly without end. Writers throughout Christianity have used different types of words when describing these struggles between good and bad resulting from human nature itself being flawed, despite how hard people may try not to let themselves get pulled down into debauchery.
We, as Christians, are not surprised at all when we experience temptation. Jesus shows us human nature and calls on his followers to follow in His footsteps, seeking service over power or lustful desires that only lead toward destruction for oneself as well as others around you – this includes being able to think critically about our own wants or needs before choosing what's best rather than just going with whatever feels good right now because it'll only bring more pain later down the line!
The ability to learn empathy and understand how other people feel--that’s something every single one of us must develop if we're ever going to come close enough together.
Just when we seem to be making spiritual headway in our lives, the likelihood of a dazzling temptation coming to us increases. It is at that point that Jesus repelled the Tempter’s luring promises, and St. Luke records, “When the devil had ended every temptation, he departed until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). It is at those “opportune times” when the Tempter knows that we are vulnerable to sin. When our spiritual welfare seems on course, when all seems well, St. Peter suggests we “be aware” of the temptation to fall.
Overall, the passage this Sunday gives us hope. It gives hope to all those who face difficulty. Jesus went into the wilderness, but he did not go alone; neither do we, as individuals, face our own personal obstacles without having God's protection and guidance near-at hand throughout each step of this journey known simply by walking alongside one another in life’s dangerous places - even when there are times where it may seem otherwise.
Jesus gave us the best advice: “Pray,” our Lord said, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40).
Blessings,
Mo. Allison+
O gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything to please You. For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever.
