This day, in some
Christian denominations, is the First Sunday in* Lent, a season of prayer, reflection, and, of course,
repentance. While Lent officially began this past week on Ash Wednesday, we now
begin in earnest over forty days, symbolic of both Moses’ time on Mt. Sinai and
Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness. Temptation is the theme
that undergirds this season. Genesis tells us about the man and woman, later
known as Adam and Eve, who succumb to the temptation offered by the serpent, and
thought they understood the consequences. With their eyes now wide open after
partaking of the forbidden fruit, they are suddenly aware of being naked. This
week’s reading of Paul’s Letter to the Romans reflects on the difference
between the one man’s trespass in the Garden and how Jesus stood firm on
the mountain. Matthew’s Gospel is more explicit about Jesus' confrontation with
the Devil.
Temptation is, simply, the lure of the
desired. Our mortal time is filled with unlimited varieties of attractions that
entice and stimulate our appetites. Temptation is as small as an unhealthy
sugary delight, a second glass of wine, or a third helping at the buffet table,
and as large as a forbidden relationship, abuse of power, or murder. Russell
Moore, a Southern Baptist theologian, ethicist, and preacher once said: Temptation
starts with a question of identity, moves to a confusion of the desires, and ultimately
heads to a contest of futures. In short, there’s a reason you want what you do
not want to want. Temptation is embryonic, personality specific, and purpose
directed.** We cannot free
ourselves of it which is why we have this season – and beyond – to consciously
and willingly examine what triggers our desires, and what, as in the
case of Adam and Eve, keeps pulling us to the knowing “fall” into the clutches
of the wanted-not-wanted. That brings us to repentance and the
making of a personal plan, with regular beyond Lent updates, to continually improve
our resistance to those enticements, especially after a lapse.
The
word repent in Biblical Hebrew is represented by two
verbs: return and feel, essentially to return/turn back
toward God and feel sorrow/regret for falling into temptation. In the
post-Resurrection New Testament of Christianity, it can be defined as: to
think differently after; to make a change of mind and heart.
Unlikely and hopefully as it is that many of us will find ourselves in an
actual wilderness for these forty days, it still is an opportune time to take
ourselves away symbolically for a few minutes or more each day. Put an alert on
your phone for a specific time of day each day to think about what Lent is
calling you to be and to do, prayerfully, and continue it after Lent as a reminder to regularly review. We can look for ways to simplify our
wants in this temporal life, to dig down into our deepest selves to find the
living Presence of God in Christ within us. We can seek and experience a
positive change, to feel that sorrow/regret for our sins, and with soul and
heart and mind eyes open, return to the conscious work of
living as God intends. It is far less about giving up a piece
of chocolate/beer/or bad habit, and more about taking on a
spiritual practice to discover again, or for the first time, what true life is
all about and pray for the strength and courage to
live it in an authentically Christ-called way.
Resistance builds on itself and looks ahead rather than in the heat of a moment, as
having a spare tire in the trunk of the car. When we summon the courage through
the grace of God to resist even mild earthly temptation, we invite the
spiritual growth that gives us ever increasing strength and grace to resist
more, and to grow into the Life in Christ that beckons us beyond unconscious
habit and self-soothing/unhealthy behavior. Moore tells us further: Don’t
let your urges scare you. Let them instead drive you to pray for the
wisdom to see what you were created to be and to do…seek to direct your
appetites toward the ways in which the Word of God…tell us they can be
fulfilled.
Lent
is the perfect time to examine the temptations and distractions, the emptiness
or even destructiveness of some activity in our lives, the nakedness in our
souls. Through prayer and reflection, meditation, etc., within small groups, on
one's own, or both, or with a pastoral counselor or spiritual director, we
can discover ways that bolster our ability to resist temptations small and big
and bigger. Whether through a Lenten study guide online or in hand, the
practice of Morning and Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer or
another source, or the daily reading of Scripture, among many other ways, one
small step begins the journey. The more we resist the glitter and lure of the
temporary earthly delight, the less prone we will be to sliding into the cold
chill of the shadows of sin, leaving behind the warmth of God's embrace. We can
build on the fortitude of Christ within us. Yes, we’ll fail, often, and
perhaps spectacularly. So fill that spiritual trunk with the spare tire of soul
care, prayer, and repentance, and begin again and again and always again.
Jesus, ultimate Resistor of Temptation, help
me to give up ignoring the inner voice that can
guide my life back toward you. Enable me to be willing to take on
a Lenten practice seeking guidance to rediscover my spiritual purpose in this
life. Hear me as I pray for the inner strength to walk
consciously on the path of offered grace to seek renewal and strength of and in
faith, for each step, in each moment, of each day, now and always.
*FYI: The
Sundays in the Season of Lent do not “count” in the time span of 40 days which
is why the heading is the x/th Sunday in Lent rather
than of Lent. The Sundays in the season after the Epiphany
and of Advent do count in the time up to their Holy occasions, Christmas
and Epiphany. The Sundays beyond Easter Sunday and Easter Week, the Epiphany,
and also Pentecost, are all noted as the # Sunday “after.”
**From ”Tempted and Tried” by Dr. Russell D. Moore, an
ordained Southern Baptist minister, American theologian, ethicist, and
preacher. With an extensive resume, he is currently Editor-at-Large and
Columnist for Christianity Today. Moore has previously served as
president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the public-policy
arm of the Southern Baptist Convention; and at the Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary, as dean of the School of Theology; and as a pastor for a number of
Southern Baptist churches.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Most Merciful God, You have
given us eyes to see ourselves as we truly are, the heart to accept Your free
gift of grace through Jesus, and a soul to seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
Fill us now with the courage to step forward in faith, to repent of our sins,
and to turn over the life we have been given to Your guidance and to Your
service.
O God: our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier
RESPONSE:
We now confess, repent, and begin again
~ Most
Merciful God, impel the political leaders in our World, in our Nation, and in
our Community, to rally to Your call and forsake the temptations and vanity of
the power of power, and to govern with integrity, equity, and truth. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O God: our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier
We
now confess, repent, and begin again
~ Most Merciful God, sustain the faith and dispel the
despair of all who are chronically ill in body, mind, or spirit, and of all who
attend to their needs. We now join our hearts to pray aloud for those in
need… add your own petitions
O God: our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier
We
now confess, repent, and begin again
~ Most
Merciful God, lift us from our grief into the hope of eternal life and
joy, reunited with all who now live again in glory with You. We pray especially for… add
your own petitions
O God: our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier
We
now confess, repent, and begin again
~ Most
Merciful God, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud
or silently… add your own petitions
O God: our Creator,
Redeemer, and Sanctifier
We now confess,
repent, and begin again
~ Most Merciful God, fortify and energize all who are anointed
to bring us Your Word and Sacraments. As they shepherd us in faith, we walk
together toward wholeness in You. We pray especially for: add your own
petitions
O God: our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier
We
now confess, repent, and begin again
The Celebrant adds: Most Holy God, You sent Jesus into a world of
temptation and trials not so different from our world of today. Accepting
obedience to your Law, he triumphed over it all for our salvation. Shield us
from the lures of false prophets and empty earthly enticements. Guide our walk
in these 40 days of conscious self-reflection, seeking your purpose for the
lives You have given us to live. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Great
High Priest; and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier; who reign with You, as One
God, forever and ever. Amen.
