February 21-27

I heard a wonderful sermon today. Rev. Henry Hudson of Trinity Episcopal Church has a way with words. He kept using the word, “we.” “We begin our Lenten journey together.” “We are all scared.”  “We are unsure.” “We are living in one of the greatest times since the war of 1812.”

 

Besides humoring us about our Saints victory and celebration of Mardi Gras, he softened our hearts to be open to our deepest and truest emotions: we are scared. And we need to know the Good News: we are not alone.

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus resists evil 3 times. The famous recounting of Jesus’ temptations can be boiled down to this: “I will resist anything that keeps me separate from God.”

 

We are all in this together – from difficult economic times to being victims of fraud as we rebuild our city. And together we must be to get through it…

 

It seems like such an easy thing to say: Admit our fears, trust in God. But, oh how difficult it is to admit especially when your reputation is on the line!

 

The 2 biggest temptations are these: 1. to think we can do everything by ourselves and without God’s help and 2. to believe that we can do everything without any other person’s help.

 

As this Lenten Season begins, let us resist these temptations and deepen our faith in God and one another. Let us take Jesus’ example to heart… even when we can “prove” ourselves, let us not fall for evil’s ways. Let us, instead, allow God’s mercy and grace to shine as we show our desire to let God’s glory win out in the end.

 

We are all in this together. Now, let’s act like it.