the third temptation of Jesus

Looking out into the wilderness, forty days have passed,

The landscape reaching the horizon is so barren and vast.

Spurred by the Holy Spirit, Jesus bows His head and prays,

Committed in His purpose and trusting in God’s ways.

His heart remains steadfast, pure, and undivided,

Held secure, not troubled, with the Father united.

I see Jesus kneeling in prayer bringing Heaven to the desert,

Preparing for His mission in salvation as The Good Shepherd.

I hear the murmuring of the wind amid the sound of silence,

Yet in the unrelenting quiet, Jesus’ rests in triumph.

I know that it is Love that binds and keeps Him free from chains,

And that this emptiness has space and purpose that God sustains.

Peace of Christ that God’s sovereignty is not void in isolation,

And no worldly glory would suffice in times of desolation.

Finally tempted by the devil to prove His faithfulness to God,

In exchange for submission, the power of every kingdom abroad.

But the lonesomeness of Jesus cannot be filled by wealth and greed,

Rather through serving only the Lord our God who gives all that we need.

So long as the journey endures, I entrust everything to Jesus,

Any fear, every hope, any good, every weakness.

And although temptations may come and the enemy may persist,

The same weapons Jesus used in the desert will help me resist.

Whatever comes, I know the Lord is with me and defends me from evil,

Through the Word of God and Holy Spirit that God gives to His people.

the second temptation of Jesus

In a land of extremes, rugged terrain, and clashing conditions,

The scorching of day and coldness of night move in opposition.

Jesus sits alone, enveloped by the wilderness that surrounds,

As the elements assail Him with no defense or bounds.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, He perseveres in prayer and firmness in faith,

Trusting that God the Father is with Him while He waits.

I stand in awe how Jesus prepares for public ministry,

A foreshadow of the Cross, giving all of Himself so willingly.

And I fall to my knees that Jesus accepts struggle for salvation,

Resisting whatever assaults Him without hesitation.

I open my heart and surrender the weaknesses of my soul,

Giving everything to God who is Love, who is strong and in control.

Now the devil takes Jesus to a high point that He may throw Himself down,

Tempting Him to be rescued by angels and be instantly renowned.

But the true faith of Christ is He believes the Father and follows His Will,

And acts in obedience and love for redemption to be fulfilled.

Selfish pride and fame do not entice Jesus to prove that He is blessed,

As it is written you shall not put the Lord your God to the test.

Walking closely with Jesus down uncertain paths, I implore…

To have the grace to accept God’s plan whatever He has in store.

And to delight in that grace because it truly is enough,

Knowing God always works for good even when the road is tough.

And to give thanks when answers to prayers are not visible,

Praising the Lord for His goodness because faith precedes miracles.

the first temptation

Journey through these last days of Lent with our poet friend

First Temptation of Jesus 

Baptized in the river Jordan, anointed from Heaven above,

Proceeding from the Father, descending as a dove.

Jesus rises from the water in the Spirit overflowing,

And walks into the wilderness without question where He’s going.

Led by the Holy Spirit, He steps free of trepidation,

Away from the world to a place of messianic preparation.

I long to be near, next to Jesus, but His solitude clear,

So I stay behind, following Him, that I to myself might disappear.

I remain with Jesus with my eyes and see Him weathered by the heat,

Tired with no place to rest and starving with nothing to eat.

I cling to Jesus with my heart and unite with Him in prayer,

Amazed how the Father’s Love pursues through dryness and despair.

Holy restraint and alone in prayer, such is the humility of Christ,

God, in communion, depending on God, and offering sacrifice.

In silence and selflessness, Jesus surrenders to the Father’s plan,

And there is tempted by the devil to prove He is the Son of Man.

But the hunger of Jesus cannot be satisfied by bread from a stone,

Because by the Word of God, one does not live on bread alone.

As I follow the Lord, meek and humble, with all my heart I pray...

To trust my every need to God, His time, and His way,

To hunger only for Jesus and revere His goodness and merit,

To walk by God’s grace not according to the flesh, but to the spirit.

And to live ever-knowing, even in darkness or the desert,

That I am His, a child of God, dearly beloved and treasured.

Experiencing God by Ginger Browning

I have had several personal and deep experiences of God.  I have heard people say those same words to me in the past and I always thought they were just weird. But it wasn't until He revealed Himself to me in such un undeniable and real way that my faith began to grow deeper.  Sometimes it was through a suffering or a circumstance in my life where I called out for His help and He answered me, other times it was simply through prayer where He answered the questions of my heart.  My favorite moments from God are when He speaks through other people because it is so direct and in a language I understand. I especially love when He speaks to me through my kids.  He uses all kinds of people - even those that seem the most unlikely. He is a good God and He uses everyone and everything to speak to us because He loves us so much.  I had one of those moments yesterday when I popped in to St. Raphaels Church to hear Fr. Zachary give a little 30 minute reflection talk to parents.  The questions of my heart were right there on the surface of my heart and by just sitting for a few minutes to pause and listen, I heard just what I needed to hear.  Holy priests are His amazing messengers and true vessels of Heaven. The topic of the Talk had nothing to do with the questions of my heart but somehow I heard through Fr. Zachary's words and the input of others exactly what I needed to hear to put my heart at ease.  That is God's grace at work.  After a long and exhausting week, just by hearing what God wanted me to hear I suddenly had renewed energy within me and the peace of heart in knowing that I could keep going.

Wounded Heart of Jesus

From our anonymous poet

Behold the cross, on which Love is crucified—

The tree of salvation where Christ suffered and died.

And rest against His Sacred Side pierced by a sword,

From which life-giving blood and cleansing water is poured.

The chest upon which the beloved disciple reclined,

Is the Heart of the Redeemer that so loved mankind.

Jesus, whose Heart for every sinner is opened,

Brings forth a fountain of grace for all who are broken.

In awe, I adore His Heart that spared nothing of itself,

That forgave, renewed, and darkness expelled.

Pierced by a lance that into His Side was thrust,

Torn for relationships that are failed and crushed.

Hidden scars inflicted by sins of hate and vengeance,

Are held in the Heart of Jesus whose mercy is relentless.

With Divine Love there is hope and healing for family and friends,

He binds up the wounded and gives strength to make amends.

Jesus, the Bridegroom, always bound to His Church,

Knows the intent of our hearts that are examined and searched.

And teaches that eternally – faith, hope, and love remain,

But that love is the greatest and covers our stains.

With all our heart, soul, and mind we should love God the Father,

And as He loved us, we should love one another.

By grace, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love;

Victory through the cross and resurrection of Christ seated in heaven above.

In wonder I kiss the cross that for love Jesus came,

To carry our sins, destroy death, and remove our blame.

Grateful that in Christ, He makes us a new creation,

Transforming hearts of stone for He is good and gracious.

I draw near to the Side of Jesus, who is my stronghold,

And commit to following Him and bring mercy to the world.

I pray, my soul to be enkindled with His Spirit and set on fire,

And evermore console the wounded Heart of Christ with burning desire.

Wounded Feet of Jesus

Behold the redemption of mankind—

Jesus, the way through that we may be reconciled.

And lay yourself down at His Holy Feet,

The miracle and the marvel

We have more than one anonymous writer...

My daughter came running towards me, holding both hands tightly over her right eye.  Her face was bright red and wet from crying.  Through her tears, I heard the terrifying word…scissors.  The scissors slipped…