SCRIPTURE:
1 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ 4 Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4
REFLECTION:
Jesus has gone from the cool waters of the Jordan to the dry lands of the wilderness. From large crowds to utter solitude.
From the voice of “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased,” to the whisper of the tempter.
The Spirit once rested like a dove, now driven into the wilderness.
Once cool waters of baptism to now the fire of temptation.
Hungry, thirsty, weak, vulnerable. A door opens, a way for a drink, a way to use the power that is in the presence and name of Jesus.
Jesus remains. He stays steadfast on the love of God, certain of the will of God, the plan that has gone before, the way that has already been made. We see Jesus encounter suffering, for my sake and yours, we learn a way in the midst of suffering. We learn a deep trust, a call to surrender, and to submit to “every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He can be trusted.
RESPOND:
- What’s your posture in the midst of suffering?
- How can you lead a life of prayerful submission to God?
PRAYER:
“Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,
always follow Your plans,
and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will.
Grant that in all things, great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever You require of me.
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace,
so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honor.
May Your Will be done in time and in eternity by me,
in me, and through me. Amen.”
St. Teresa of Avila
