Has that ever happened you? The antidote, as Paul pointed out, is to think beyond yourself to others: God, heavenly things rather than only those of this world, and Jesus who will come again.
Hearing the story of Jesus’ temptation on the First Sunday of Lent, it’s, well, tempting to focus on Christ’s fasting as an example of fasting for the season to come. But Jesus’ fast in this story is not penitential. Rather it serves to make him hungry and thus puts him in a very human situation of vulnerability. His choice—like ours—is between turning to God in faith, as Moses, the psalmist, and Saint Paul did, or relying on something else, like political power or some other God. Where do you need God? Do you substitute another source of support for the real thing?
Three figures in the readings this week protest they are unworthy. Isaiah: “I am a man of unclean lips.” Saint Paul: “I am the least of the apostles.” Saint Peter: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Nonetheless they are chosen to witness God’s glory and advance God’s mission. Whoever you are, however unworthy you may feel, God has something important for you to do. What is it?
Like some of the other great prophets of Hebrew scripture—Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Amos—Jeremiah had to first establish his “cred”—that his prophetic call was indeed from God—for the people to listen to him.
The reading from the Book of Nehemiah describes a somewhat odd scene. Just about the entire Israelite nation had just spent a morning—apparently with their faces to the ground—listening to a recitation and interpretation of the book of God’s Law.
The first reading is a kind of writing in Hebrew scripture that’s called 'reminding the Lord'—reminding God about the promises God made to God’s people.
The voice of God rings out loud and clear, the readings this week tell us, proclaiming a message of salvation.
Gifts and homage play big roles in the scripture readings this Sunday. Camels pour in bearing gold and spices with mysterious magician-astrologer-wise men from the East. They present their gifts and do homage. In this season of Christmas—and don’t forget the Christmas season goes on for another week—gift-giving and hospitality are front and center.
On the roll call of virtues God’s chosen ones should practice, the Letter to the Colossians lists “bearing with one another”—it’s along the lines of “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In daily life “bearing with” can mean “putting up with” or “tolerating” or “carrying one another’s burdens.”
There’s a lot of joy and rejoicing going on in the Gospel of Luke. The angel’s announcement of the coming birth of John the Baptist to his father Zechariah included the words: “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”