This Week’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus finds Himself alone with His thoughts in today’s reading.  But it isn’t just His thoughts that He encounters.  Satan tempts Him. 

 In Matthew’s Gospel this occurs right after Jesus has been Baptized.  This is interesting timing.  And perhaps the most important part of Jesus Baptism is made known to us.

 Jesus’ identity is revealed as God’s beloved Son.  This identity most certainly sustained Jesus through these temptations that we read about today. 

 In our own lives, we too have our wilderness moments.  Sometimes they are short and sometimes they are extended.  Why they happen and when is a mystery.

 One thing is of note in the life of Jesus.  When the wilderness occurred for Jesus, it prepared Him for what was ahead.  Ultimately it prepared Him in private for what would become public later.  Again, His identity was key in keeping Him faithful to God. 

Perhaps there is much to learn here for us.  What if the dry seasons are the times when we grow the most?  Admittedly they can be painful.  But our identity as God’s faithful children holds a power we would be wise to tap into. 

May our Lenten journey prepare us for the days ahead in our own lives.