Homily, February 26, 2023
From The Pastor
Continuing the image of framing from last week, we can gain a greater understanding of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Every life has a frame. As a person matures and changes, even transforms through life, the frame is re-made to reflect the current state of a person. This is the case in the life of Jesus as he matures into adulthood.
The Baptism of the Lord was a significant event that became the next frame in the identity and mission of Jesus. As it was true for Jesus, it is also true for all the baptized. Through his Baptism, the identity of Jesus is confirmed publicly in the voice of the Father: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The unchanging, yet evolving frame in the life of Jesus was the communion of love he shared with the Father. This confirmed identity makes his mission clear. As the human-Divine Son, beloved of the Father, Jesus is sent forth as the Anointed One to redeem the world.
The frame is now fluid and transforming. It is the Holy Spirit that drives Jesus into the desert. It is a time of testing, discernment, and acceptance of the Divine plan. Is Jesus up to the task? Is he ready and willing to face the evil that will confront him in the work of redemption? The first and primary action of the Cross is to defeat evil, then the forgiveness of sin. The work of Jesus in the desert mirrors the deception of the snake in the garden whose temptation caused the disobedience of Adam and Eve.
The temptation of Jesus is the devil’s attempt to deceive and defeat God through the human weakness of the Son. Why must Jesus go through this temptation? Because of our human weakness and the wiles of evil, we are tempted and we often fail. Jesus reconciles human disobedience through his unwavering trust in the communion of love he shares with the Father, which we are now invited to share. The obedience of Jesus reconciles the disobedience of Adam/humanity.
Jesus suffers the temptations like any other human being. The first temptation is against human hunger. We are all hungry for something, and when we are hungry for whatever reason, we become vulnerable to temptation. Attempting to take advantage of this hunger, the devil tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread. Notice the deception. “If you are the Son of God turn these stones into bread.” The devil is fully aware of who Jesus is and the work he is about. He is testing the strength of the Lord’s will and identity. This is merely the lie of his deception. Jesus is ready. “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus is the eternal Word spoken by the Father. This is his food and our food as well. Human comforts will never satisfy the union of Divine love.
The second temptation is one of power. Again, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down…” Now the devil uses scripture against Jesus, as it is written the angels will guard him against harm. Jesus will not use Divine power for his personal gain or comfort. All power is directed from and designed by the will of the Father. Jesus will never contradict the Father’s will as he responds, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Our human tendency for power comes from our ego to be in the up position before others. To have power over others is in defense of our vulnerabilities and fear of pain or diminishment. Such power divides, creates competition, and inequality in society that incites injustice. God is put in a lessor place.
The third temptation is the pride and desire of the devil to be God and to be worshipped by all. “All these I will give you if you prostrate yourself and worship me.” Jesus is keen to the deception. Jesus knows the truth of the Father’s love and no enticement on earth will draw him away from this union of Divine Oneness.
Human weakness often leads to the deception of idols and false illusions of power, pleasure, or fame. None satisfy for long. Emptiness and shame further deceive us away from the constancy and fidelity of Divine mercy and forgiveness. The pain of sin leaves us in the lie of separation from God. God has not moved, nor is God diminished by our sin. We are diminished by trying to fit into a frame that is not our own. Sin is disobedience against the love of the Father revealed in Jesus. The obedience of Jesus is fulfilled through the Cross that heals the deception of evil that is so often the root of sin.
Jesus won. He passed the test of temptation in the desert. He is now ready to go forth in public ministry that culminates on the Cross. The victory of Jesus becomes our victory. Now our challenge is to accept the gift of Christ and reframe ourselves in the promise of the Father’s love. Enter the life of the Holy Spirit.
Fight temptation with a life framed by your Baptism, the power of the Spirit who dwells in you, and Christ who died and rose for you. Jesus knows and understands human weakness. He suffered and encountered it all to defeat the lie of evil and to confirm the power and the truth of love. Confession is a good response to this gift.
Father John Esper
Recent Sermons
Homily, November 24, 2024
November 21, 2024
Homily, November 17, 2024
November 18, 2024
Homily, November 10, 2024
November 07, 2024