BELIEVING

Lent is a time when Christians and individuals remember the 40days Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry. This is the time of invitation to us to reflect on our relationship to a fundamental aspect of Christian faith and that of gospel. Satan was trying to convince Jesus to use his powers to harm people with the use of force and deception.

Jesus had to choose between God’s way and Satan’s way. In facing Satan’s temptation Jesus remained faithful and was strengthened in his awareness and resolve for the task that lay ahead of him. We too are in a similar period of 40days, by prayer, fasting and acts of charity. We have the privilege of coming to know and believing ever more deeply in the God that Jesus taught us about; a God who loves us so much that he will make any sacrifice to bring us back to himself. 

When we can believe in this way, we too will be strengthened in the face of temptation and emerge as more faithful, compassionate and loving Christians. Jesus entered the lonely desert and faced hunger, danger, temptation and he didn’t turn aside but affirmed the way of self giving love. We should stand to resist the false attraction of easy answers, magic fixes, abuse of power and the delusion that there is any way apart from justice in which God’s justice can be done.

When I hear Jesus inviting me to follow him, I shudder at all my weakness and my many shortcomings; the mountain of my sinfulness. However, as I listen to his call once again at the very core of my being I hear Jesus saying, “Take the cross”. When he sends the cross to me, he takes into account my strength, my generosity and my willingness to accept it. 

My cross may be simply striving to live the gospel message; it may be accepting sickness, old age, some form of handicap or bearing with another person who tries my patience. This is the time to turn our attention to the less privileged in the society and with Jesus, let me say, “The burden of love is light like a cloud”.

David Hayker -Liturgical Leader