The devil led Jesus up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ (Luke 4:5-8 – New International Version)
Growing up in the Roman Catholic tradition, I was well versed in the season of Lent, where we were reminded how Jesus was tested by the deceitful one when he entered the wilderness while filled with the Spirit. Jesus, hungry and fatigued was taunted several times by the devil, who tried to take advantage of Jesus’ weaken state by promising him “authority and splendor” of all the kingdoms, if only he would worship the evil one. Jesus answered that we are to worship and serve only God.
In a world that tempts us with glory and riches as defined by the world, often at the expense and oppression of others, our faith encourages us to resist the worship of profit and power. We worship and serve God by doing justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8), even when we are surrounded with messages to do otherwise.
In this moment, many from all faiths are being taunted and threaten for coming to the aid of the most marginalize, for lifting our voices to defend the basic right and dignity to live one’s authentic self, to love who one chooses to love, the fundamental right to decide what is best for our own bodies, and the ability to offer refuge in our sacred spaces to those seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Doing justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with our God seems to be frowned upon in this current age.
Lent provides us an opportunity for collective penance and reflection on how we can serve God and each other in Love and Justice. It is my hope that as we take this time to ponder Jesus’ journey in the wilderness which would ultimately lead him to a powerful witness and message of love of God and love of neighbor, may we follow Christ’s example to resist the powers that attempt to deceive us into a worshipping a world that is causing so much strife and pain. Let it not overwhelm or discourage us, for we are a people of the resurrection in the United Church of Christ.
May we be the witnesses of God’s love to the world this Lenten season and always.
Blessings and Peace.
Rev. Roberto