To watch Fr. Joe’s homily for the First Sunday in Lent: CLICK HERE!
Let me begin with a rhetorical question today, “when was the last time you were tempted? And gave into the temptation?”
We are all tempted, maybe even with in the last few minutes. Today, we hear that even Jesus was tempted. And why would be think that he would not be tempted ?
Jesus, like us was fully human, and fully divine. And like us Jesus was tempted, but maybe unlike us, Jesus resisted the temptations…
What are the temptations we address daily? Lots to be sure…
What do we see in the First Reading today from Genesis? Adam and Eve are in the Garden of Eden and rather than let them wander happily ever after in the garden, Satan (The Devil, The Evil One, The Tempter) shows up to debate with Eve, so she could bring Adam into line. And all Satan had to do was sow some doubt, by saying to Eve, “did God tell you that you could not eat any fruit tree in the middle of the garden?”
And Eve thinks to herself, “actually, it was Adam who said it to me. Will Adam always try to tell me what to do?” And you almost see Satan grinning as he not only Separates man and wife…
But goes for even a bigger prize…
“Dividing them Both from God” and the Ways of God.
It was all about them….at least that is what Satan wanted them
to think and act…
Not people growing in a Relationship of Intensifying Love
with God…but….wanting to Become – GOD.
What can I get out of this…and…never delay my own
Gratification.
Temptations….abound in our world…
The Tempter…is that “VOICE” within us that:
+ urges us To Put ourselves First….
+ wants us to place our wants & expectations Before the needs of others…
+ tries to Separate us from One Another and from God…
Like Jesus..it is…the “Spirit of God” who leads us into the Desert…
this Lent 2020…
The Spirit of God…that offers a Life beyond all the
Let me begin with a rhetorical question today: “When was the last time you were tempted? And gave into the temptation?”
We are all tempted…maybe even with in the last few minutes.
Today, we hear that even Jesus was tempted.
And why would be think that he would not be tempted ?
Jesus, like us was fully Human, (and fully Divine).
And like us Jesus was Tempted…but…maybe unlike us, Jesus resisted the Temptations….
What are the temptations we address daily… Lots to be sure…
What do we see in the First Reading today from Genesis…
Adam and Eve are in the Garden of Eden.
And rather than let them wander happily ever after n the Garden,
Satan – The Devil – The Evil One – The Tempter shows up
to debate with Eve, so she could bring Adam into line.
And all Satan had to do was sow some doubt, by saying to Eve,
“Did God tell you that you could not eat any fruit Tree in the
Middle of the Garden?”
And Eve thinks to herself: “Actually, it was Adam who said it to me. Will Adam always try to tell me what to do?”
And you almost see…Satan Grinning…
As he not only Separates man and wife…
But goes for even a bigger prize…
“Dividing them Both from God” and the Ways of God.
It was all about them….at least that is what Satan wanted them
to think and act…
Not people growing in a Relationship of Intensifying Love
with God…but….wanting to Become – GOD.
What can I get out of this…and…never delay my own
Gratification.
Temptations….abound in our world…
The Tempter…is that “VOICE” within us that:
+ urges us To Put ourselves First….
+ wants us to place our wants & expectations Before the needs of others…
+ tries to Separate us from One Another and from God…
Like Jesus..it is…the “Spirit of God” who leads us into the Desert…
this Lent 2020…
The Spirit of God…that offers a Life beyond all the
All the Kingdoms & Riches of the World.
These 40 days of Lent are meant to Lead us from Temptation
And Lead us:
Closer and Closer to One Another and All People;
Closer and Closer to God and the Ways of God
Everyday of our Lives….
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Oh by the way,
Did you know that Today (Saturday, Feburary 29th) is: “Leap of Kindness Day ?”
Well it is…If you want to give into a Temptation…
Do something Kind today for Another Person or Persons.
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