In today's readings, the spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days and nights. There, Satan (in some Bibles "The Tempter" or "The Devil") tempts Jesus with offers of power and glory if He will only do Satan's bidding. It's the classical challenge story... will Jesus remember who He is? Part of that challenge is being placed in an enviroment that is uncomfortable... alone... no food... no shelter... that's when Satan goes after Jesus.
That is when Satan comes after us too... when we are tired, lonely, hungry, feeling left out, etc. That's when Satan's "voice in our heads" comes to us and we are most exposed to temptation. Of course, these are feelings we frequently have. You'll notice that Jesus turned to the words of scripture for support, answering each of Satan's temptations with "It is written:..." and citing a scripture to go against Satan's tempts. These words of support in our Bible are available to us too when we are being tempted.
The reading asks who/what are the wilderness voices in our heads? Are they friends... teachers... coaches... others? While I'm not (quite) insane, I have voices in my head. They're not the typical friends, etc., because nowdays I don't really surround myself with people who don't share my beliefs. My struggle is with my own thoughts. Thoughts that by my own power or control I can achieve the power and glory (same offers Satan made to Jesus) that I seek. At some level, we all seek the same thing - mostly through the approval of others (a family member once told me we want kids to look up to us, elders to approve of us and women to adore us). Our task is to remember who we are - beloved children of God - as we go about on our journey.
So remember that you are God's beloved child. Remember...
PERSONAL NOTE: After I post this, I'm heading to http://www.holycrossmonastery.com/guesthouse.html for a few days of personal retreat. I will try to keep this blog up, but it depends on what kind of computer access I have. Please pray for me while I'm there....
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