Fifth Friday of Ordinary Time

Take ten pieces for yourself; the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon's grasp and will give you ten of the tribes. One tribe shall remain to him for the sake of David my servant, and of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.

God always keeps his promises. Even when those whom he has made the promises turn away from Him. He knows we are not perfect, but He gives us every chance to live the lives He wants for us. He gives us the gifts, talents, and graces to do His Will in all things and at all times. If we fail to do as He asks, then He eventually will give our task to someone else, but He always leaves a part of His promise there for us to take and do good things with. Hopefully, we will not have to lose most everything like Solomon before we return to God, but if we do, then we should remember God remains with us even in the midst of our greatest failures. For our sake, He leaves us a chance to do better, to make amends for our sins, and keep at least a part of what He had planned for us.

What is God calling us to do? What is holding us back or distracting us from that vocation? How can we avoid the temptations that lead us astray and instead choose to follow God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths?

O Lord, remain with us and lead us out of our sins to a better life.

Amen.

First Sunday of Lent

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

The devil tempted Jesus in many ways. First, he tempted Jesus with the bodily need of hunger. Then, he tempted Jesus with worldly glory and power. Finally, he tempted Jesus with abusing his relationship with God. However, Jesus doesn’t fall for any of these temptations. Yes, he can turn stones into bread, rule over all the earth, and call angels to his aid, but he does not do so because these acts are not what he has come to earth for. He is not here simply to meet the physical needs of others, rule over them as a worldly king, or work miracles for personal gain. He has come into the world to convert sinners and save souls. And so he denies the Devil’s temptations because he knows that he has a greater calling than simple survival, worldly authority, or displays of divine power. He has a message of faith, hope and love that he wishes to impart to the world. We can only hope to imitate him in this dedication to helping others at the sacrifice of himself as ultimately expressed on the cross.

Are we able to overcome our bodily and spiritual temptations? Do we do the right thing for the right reasons or the wrong ones? Are we willing to answer our higher calling no matter the cost?

O Lord, give us the grace to overcome the temptations of the Devil and answer your summons to a life of sacrificial faith, hope, and love.

Amen.