Pilgrimage
We are on a pilgrimage to celebrate Easter. Every day we will want to do something to bring us closer to God. For many this means that we will abstain from something during Lent. In this pilgrimage we will want to focus on prayer, developing that relationship with God. We will experiment with fasting, abstaining from eating, and only having fish on Fridays, no meat. By abstaining we learn to control our emotions. When Jesus was led into the wilderness, He fasted for forty days. We discern what we can do to help others in need. We walk this journey with them.
This prepares us for today’s gospel. The devil tries to deceive Jesus to turn stones into bread. He is hungry, but his mission is not just to make food for people. He must bring spiritual food to our lives. Adam and Eve were hungry. They exchanged eternity for a piece of fruit. Jesus dominates his hunger by knowing God, and only God, can give us what we really need.
God loves all His children and knows what we need and when we need it. Why would we challenge or try to deceive God to grant us what we want? Our desire must be God, not things of this earth. We do not live in a perfect world. We will have pain, suffering and persecutions. But we know that Jesus walks this path with us. We can draw near to Him. Even in difficult times as Christians we will experience joy through our trust in God.
What do you need in the world? What in this world do you want? Now ask yourself, will you be able to carry/bring that with you in eternal life? You could have all the kingdoms in the world if you do not lean toward the devil. Not one thing will you be able to take into eternal life.
What do you need now? I hope you said “Jesus.” You are going to need Him.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen