Lenten Meditations: March 4

March 4

Luke 4:1–2 (adapted)

Jesus, full of the Spirit, was led into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the false accuser, the slanderous one. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.

Reflection

When I think of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, with its provocative connotations, what strikes me is that what Jesus did during that time was primarily to listen. He listened for a sense of his purpose and direction, and he discovered what we too discover, that when you are finally quiet, and clear enough to listen, many voices clamor. For him there was the voice urging him to cheap popularity, to use his power to do magic tricks, like throwing himself off the Temple, turning stone into bread, or performing some messianic sign. What are the many voices that clamor in your head? What devilish voices niggle at you to settle for less than who you really are?

 

Prayer
Holy One, help us to hear your voice among the many voices that tug at us. We want to be good listeners and to be able to distinguish Your voice.

Amen.