RBWords

     Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus made what we would call a "retreat."  He went away from everything and everyone, except the devil, and dealt with what could happen if he were unfaithful to his identity and his mission.  All three temptations touch on the issue of power.  Two of them begin with the words, "If you are the Son of God...."  Each temptation would be an abuse of power.  The first concerns cheap self-satisfaction - changing stones into bread.  The second involved political power.  The third is a direct challenge of power over life and death: "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here......"   To each temptation, Jesus responds with scripture and rejects the offer.

     It could be a fruitful Lenten observance to take time and consider how "powerful" we are.  Parents can think about the power they have in regard to their children.  Employers can think about the power they have over their employees.  Health care professionals can think about the power they exercise over patients.   Pastoral ministers can think about the power they exercise over parishioners.  We can all think about the power that various sciences are continually offering us for good and evil.  All human relationships involve some kind of power even when they are healthy.

     By asking ourselves about our "powers," we may find out what gifts God has given to us and use them for good, rejecting temptations to abuse and self-satisfaction.  By virtue of our baptism, we are filled with the same Spirit that led Jesus into the desert.  We are in a position to do a lot of wonderful things if we are faithful to that calling.  We have Jesus and the scriptures to start us off and support us.  AMEN