Temptations

Monday, September 14, 2009 -- Week of Proper 19, Year One
Holy Cross Day

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer)

EITHER the readings for Monday of Proper 19, p. 984
Psalms 56, 57, [58] (morning) 64, 65 (evening)
1 Kings 21:1-16
1 Corinthians 1:1-19
Matthew 4:1-11

OR the readings for Holy Cross Day, p. 999
Morning Prayer: Psalm 66; Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:11-17
Evening Prayer: Psalm 118; Genesis 3:1-15; 1 Peter 3:17-22

I did the readings for Monday of Proper 19

The story of the temptation begins in a moment of vulnerability. Jesus has been in the wilderness. He has been fasting forty days and forty nights. He is famished.

When we are tired and vulnerable, afraid for our security and survival, we can become desperate. In our desperation, it is easy to rationalize -- violate our conscience for the sake of relief and safety.

What's so bad about turning stones to bread? Judging from Jesus' response, it must have something to do with the source of motivation and action. We don't live in a closed material universe, where our actions are determined primarily by our power to act. Our actions must be consistent with the "word that comes from the mouth of God" for them to be authentic. For Jesus, there must have been something contrary to his sense of God's will for him to act in such a way to solve his hunger. It must have violated his sense of integrity and relationship with God. So, despite his hunger, the obvious need before him, he refrained from acting. The motivation did not spring from God.

So the devil quotes the Bible at him. It is a quote that might look like an invitation to faith. Trust God and trust God's word -- the angels will "bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone."

What's so bad about following God's word? Judging from Jesus' response, motivation is again in question. We are to trust God, but not put God to the test. The invitation to throw oneself from the pinnacle of the temple is an invitation to do something that is spectacular, powerful and showy. The story of Jesus will be the story of union with God through the cross, not through showy exhibitions of power. Using the Bible to justify a public spectacle is to put God to the test. Do not quote the Bible in pride, but in humble service.

The final temptation asks us to follow God rather than the splendor and power of the world. It sounds like a pretty straightforward offer, but our eyesight can be nearsighted and our power of rationalization strong when we see something tantalizing within our grasp.

Somehow Jesus maintains his fundamental orientation toward God and God's will. Despite his vulnerability, he continues to trust God for his security, his esteem and his power. Maintaining his obedience to God, he ends up receiving what the worldly temptations had offered him falsely -- the angels do come and minister to him.

Holding on to what you know is right even when you feel so vulnerable and when quick relief appears at hand... It is hard. Tempting. And God's timing is rarely consistent with ours. But we have a companion along the way. Jesus has been there. He knows what it feels like. He can help us.

Twelve-step spirituality has a lot of slogans for the territory of temptation in weakness: let go and let God; take it easy; one day at a time; first things first; this too shall pass; expect miracles; turn it over; willingness is the key.

On Holy Cross Day, Christian spirituality invites us to take up our cross and follow Jesus. It can look scary and intimidating, but he promises his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas