Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned
from the Jordan and was led by the
Spirit in the wilderness, where for
forty days he was tempted by the
devil. He ate nothing at all during
those days, and when they were
over, he was famished. The devil
said to him, ‘If you are the Son of
God, command this stone to become
a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him,
‘It is written, “One does not live by
bread alone.” ’
from the Jordan and was led by the
Spirit in the wilderness, where for
forty days he was tempted by the
devil. He ate nothing at all during
those days, and when they were
over, he was famished. The devil
said to him, ‘If you are the Son of
God, command this stone to become
a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him,
‘It is written, “One does not live by
bread alone.” ’
Then the devil led him up and
showed him in an instant all the
kingdoms of the world. And the
devil said to him, ‘To you I will give
their glory and all this authority;
for it has been given over to me,
and I give it to anyone I please.
If you, then, will worship me, it will
all be yours.’ Jesus answered him,
‘It is written,“Worship the Lord your
God, and serve only him.” ’
showed him in an instant all the
kingdoms of the world. And the
devil said to him, ‘To you I will give
their glory and all this authority;
for it has been given over to me,
and I give it to anyone I please.
If you, then, will worship me, it will
all be yours.’ Jesus answered him,
‘It is written,“Worship the Lord your
God, and serve only him.” ’
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle
of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw
yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his
angels concerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God
to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed
from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13
This is the season of the year, as autumn deepens, where we are
flooded with images of bats, witches, spiders and devils. We revel
in all things scary and creepy, and TV responds by broadcasting our
most beloved horror movies. The problem is, the ancient and
modern images of incarnate evil belie the truth of evil. Evil is
pretty, familiar and tempting. The devil is a fallen angel and can
find our pride, greed and selfish need buttons all too quickly.
Power is the most seductive of these demons, followed closely by
fortune and fame. Those with power think themselves gods,
who can do no wrong despite laws, norms and ethics. There is
no greater evil than that.
Jesus begins his ministry with deep prayer, in silence and in
the wilderness. We know this because he shared this profound
encounter with his disciples. The devil knew the weaknesses
of his flesh, of all of us. The temptation is always to satisfy
our bodies, to wield power, and to test the limits. Jesus makes
a choice and invites us to follow. When we are tempted to
abuse the power, the station, the relationships, the fortune
and fame we have been blessed with, we are face to face
with evil. It is not scary but pretty and seductive. Yet, we
are called, every day to name it, recognize it and accept
again the way of Christ which is humility, kindness and
compassion in all things.
Today, I ask God to help me see the temptations around
me, resist the pretty and seductive pride of place, and follow
the example of Jesus. May we rededicate our lives to
humility, compassion and love in this world that seems to
promote grabbing, lying and abuse for those who are in
positions of power.
of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw
yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his
angels concerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’
Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God
to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed
from him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13
This is the season of the year, as autumn deepens, where we are
flooded with images of bats, witches, spiders and devils. We revel
in all things scary and creepy, and TV responds by broadcasting our
most beloved horror movies. The problem is, the ancient and
modern images of incarnate evil belie the truth of evil. Evil is
pretty, familiar and tempting. The devil is a fallen angel and can
find our pride, greed and selfish need buttons all too quickly.
Power is the most seductive of these demons, followed closely by
fortune and fame. Those with power think themselves gods,
who can do no wrong despite laws, norms and ethics. There is
no greater evil than that.
Jesus begins his ministry with deep prayer, in silence and in
the wilderness. We know this because he shared this profound
encounter with his disciples. The devil knew the weaknesses
of his flesh, of all of us. The temptation is always to satisfy
our bodies, to wield power, and to test the limits. Jesus makes
a choice and invites us to follow. When we are tempted to
abuse the power, the station, the relationships, the fortune
and fame we have been blessed with, we are face to face
with evil. It is not scary but pretty and seductive. Yet, we
are called, every day to name it, recognize it and accept
again the way of Christ which is humility, kindness and
compassion in all things.
Today, I ask God to help me see the temptations around
me, resist the pretty and seductive pride of place, and follow
the example of Jesus. May we rededicate our lives to
humility, compassion and love in this world that seems to
promote grabbing, lying and abuse for those who are in
positions of power.
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