Going into the Desert is an Initiation
Spirit leads us there
A period of testing before real work begins
Desert strips away distractions so only fundamentals are left
Essentials are life or death
Confronting negative feelings and things in life
First Temping, life is not about sensual pleasures, don’t make sensual pleasures your dominant
most basic is what is the will and purpose of God
Life is not about sensuals, basics first
Word of God is the most basic, listen and trust
Are sensuals too close to the center of my life
Second Temping is the lure of power and glory
All kingdoms of the earth are entwined with sin
Instead say yes to God and the Will of God
It could mean being invisible, dishonored, or broken
Third Temping is making the ego first
There are purposes for you that God has willed
Are you in charge of your life, putting yourself at the center
or Are you saying yes to what God willed for you?
Your life is not about you, its about God and his purposes for you
Lukian account: You shall not put the Lord God to the test
You test God, you put yourself at the center of the temple
Are you putting yourself before God
Are you the center of attention
or Are you willing to do the will of God
Above my translation from Father Barron’s first Lenten homily “Three Questions From The Desert”
We must listen and trust our Godvoice, we are not strong enough to do half of what we are destined to do, that’s why we must realize that God is leading. He’ll lead, we’ll bring his ways into the visible. -MJM