Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days. (Luke 4:1-2)

Luke 4:1-13

In this first week of Lent, we have seen God’s invitation to recognise that we are chosen and beloved from the beginning. We have been created in God’s image. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit within us, giving us life in the love of our parents and carers, prayer, the sacraments, experiences of God, the guidance of those already empowered by the Spirit, and all things.

Jesus was tempted to be self-centred and seek power, status, and wealth. The human Jesus had to deal with this. In the gifting of the Holy Spirit, Jesus brought his focus within, allowing himself to come to know and experience the wisdom already present. Jesus moved his eyes from the temptation to God within. We can choose to do the same. We must look at our hurts, strengths, what needs a change, our values, and our dreams and visions with God.

Consider ‘ubuntu’ – ‘I am because we are’. We are called not to seek individualism but to remember that religion (re-legion, re-connect) is about relationships and belonging. Relationships always require a great deal of giving, forgiving, and compromise. To live together with other people, we need a lot of wisdom. Jesus shows us how: in the pause, in the silence, in the wilderness, in suffering and deep joy. Howard Thurman refers to this wisdom within as “the sound of the genuine in yourself.”

Jesus let the temptations become an opportunity to know himself more deeply – who he was, who he wanted to be, what he would do to live this, what his mission was. The temptations allowed him to stop and reflect. We are called this Lent to pause, reflect and listen to the voice of our Loving God within us in the strength of the Holy Spirit and to consider, “What would Jesus do?” What will I do or be? Am I ready to participate in the creative energy of God? Will I open myself to fall in love with God and the world and to become whole in the Holy Spirit this Lent?

What helps me keep my focus on God? Do I seek to fall in love with God? How will I discover who I am? What will help me truly live?

Will I trust that God’s wisdom is within me? Am I ready to start practising ‘tuning in’?

Reflections by Kath Knowles

Compassionate God,
When I face temptation, please gift me the graces needed 

to keep my focus on your wisdom deep within me. 

Let me always first bring my attention in trust to your guidance and love. 

May I fall in love with you and be whole in you.
Amen.

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