Readings (Year C):
Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15
Romans 10:8-13
Luke 4:1-13
Reflection: Go slow this Lent
For those of you who are familiar with music, you may occasionally notice the word “lento” in the musical score. This is a direction that literally means “go slow.” Once in a first grade classroom, I asked the children: “What can you see when you are riding in the car on an interstate highway?” Their little faces scrunched up as they replied: “You can’t see anything because you’re going too fast.” “But,” I said, “what can you see when you are in the car going slowly?” Those same little faces lit up, reporting all kinds of things: “petals on flowers,” “people sitting on their porches,” “even cows’ eyes!” Indeed, in Lent, we as a church are called to go slowly, so that we can better see God and ourselves in relationship. The readings we are given to hear call us to see with eyes of faith.
In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses recalls the saving action of God in setting the Israelites free from their oppression in Egypt. Having heard their cry, God is remembered for strong hand and outstretched arm, with great power, and signs and wonders. God has brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey, and the Israelites then offer God the first fruits of the land and bow down in God’s presence. As Lent begins, let us also recall the saving actions of God in our lives: How has God heard the cries of our hearts and responded? What are the ways that we show our gratitude and in fact bow down in the presence of God we experience?
In Romans, Paul affirms the saving action of God, and adds an inclusive statement that God’s care and relationship is not limited to Jews alone. In naming Jews and Greeks, Paul is implying that God’s Spirit is with all people. Throughout time and even today, nations and peoples claim a superiority over others. For those of us baptized into Christ, we are one. In another place in Galatians, Paul is even more clear in writing: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but all are one in Christ.” As we enter into these Lenten days, we may need to reflect on how we not only believe but act in the reality that we are one with all of humankind and all of creation.
The account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert is a familiar story, that deserves our reflection. The three temptations that are described relate to the original temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden. That temptation is not simply eating the apple, but rather: “If you eat this apple, you will be like God.” Therein lies the original sin that we all struggle with: our desire to be like God, in control and with power.
The first temptation appeals to Jesus’ hunger, having fasted for 40 days in the desert. Perhaps we should consider more than the hunger of our bodies and reflect on the hungers of our hearts. We may be attracted to nourish the hungers of our hearts with illusions that will not in fact fill the emptiness of our hearts. Neither money nor possessions can fill our hearts, and neither food nor alcohol nor drugs can cover our inner hungers or thirsts. Only God, only love can fill our souls. How and when do we experience an inner hunger? What do we seek and do to quench such hunger?
Secondly, the devil tempts Jesus with power: “I will give you all this power and glory.” Really??? We continue to be tempted by power in our daily lives; we resist feeling powerless or vulnerable. God alone has power, and God’s primary power is simply presence. For those of us who believe, we know that we are never alone. Our own power is in the service and worship of God alone.
The final temptation tales place in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish faith and the place of God’s presence in the Ark of the Covenant in the inner Temple precincts. The challenge is to tempt God to exercise power. We take up this challenge when we pray for a particular need, for a particular healing. We want God to do what we want God to do. Our faith is shaken, sometimes, when we don’t receive exactly what we had prayed for. And yet, Jesus doesn’t fall for the challenge. He has indeed emerged from the 40 days in the desert stronger in his own faith in God.
The Feast of Yom Kippur is observed by Jews as their annual Day of Atonement. They reflect on how they may have betrayed their Covenant with God, how they may have sinned through the last year. As individuals and as community, the Jews seek forgiveness and thus reconciliation and renewal of their relationship with God. Perhaps this is ours to do during the Lenten season. We make every effort to go slow, and to reflect on our relationship with God. The temptations of Jesus are good markers of temptations we also face. May we arrive at the Triduum and the Eater Vigil having renewed our relationship with God, and may we rejoice in the saving action of God in our lives and in our world.
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