Today is the first Sunday of Lent.
In today’s Gospel we hear about the temptation of Jesus and His response. We know about Jesus that He’s both fully human and fully divine within the same person. In His humanity he is hungry and experiencing other things we all experience, except sin.
Satan attempts to drive a wedge between Jesus and the Father but no deal. Jesus isn’t having it. He trusts in the Father to provide what He needs while on earth. That’s a good lesson for all of us too.
There’s a fine line between doing what we can and should to care for ourselves and crossing over to the point where we think we can save ourselves.
Jesus’ example shows us that we need to rely on God for what we need. When God provided manna for the Israelites He only provided what they needed for that day, or two when the Sabbath was the next day. He wanted to see if they would continue to rely on Him and trust Him. We know how that is ourselves. There’s a tendency, when things are good, to only have a passing interest in God. When things go badly, and we know clearly we’re not in control, we’re all about God. It’s part of our fallen nature.
We have a 42 year old family member who has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and our family is all about prayer. I think it’s fair to say our concern of the things of God is elevated.
So, as we begin Lent let’s think about ways we might grow closer to God and how we might better rely on Him and trust Him. Jesus shows us the way (as if that’s a news flash) we just need to pay attention.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great week and if you would, offer up a prayer for my nephew Kevin, for his recovery whether it be medical or miraculous.
Peace, Bob
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