first sunday of
lent
Worship the Lord by breaking your fast and taking part in the ever
present weekly feast of his Resurrection. “Turn totally to the Lord. Turn your
back on the wretched world; then you will find deep rest… Christ will come to
you with comfort when you prepare your heart for him.” —Thomas á Kempis
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many
temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find
you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP
218)
Mark 1:9-15
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized
by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw
heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a
voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well
pleased.”
At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the
desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and
angels attended him.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into
Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The
kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” TNIV
It was in order to teach us that Jesus both did and underwent all
things. He endures even being led into the wilderness, and wrestling against
the devil, so that each of us who are baptized—who after our baptism must
endure greater temptations—may not be troubled thinking this was unexpected.
Instead, we must continue to nobly endure it all; it’s the natural course of
things.
Yes, of course—for you didn’t take up arms to be idle, but to
fight! For these reasons God does not hinder temptations as they come on: (1),
to teach you how strong you have indeed become; (2), to keep you modest, not
thinking your gifts make you extra-special; (3), to prove to that wicked devil,
who thinks he might draw you back, that you have indeed forsaken and abandoned
him; (4), that you may be made even stronger, and better tempered than steel;
and (5), that you may obtain a clear demonstration of the treasures you’re
entrusted with. For, indeed, the devil wouldn’t bother assailing you except
that he’s seen you brought to greater honor by God…
And look where the
Spirit leads Him, when He had taken Him—not into a city or a marketplace, but
into a wilderness… For then especially does the devil attack, when he sees
people left alone, by themselves… When he sees us with others and banded
together, he loses his confidence and makes no attack. And so we have the
greatest need, on this account, to be flocking together continually, that we
may not be open to the devil’s attacks.
—St. John
Chrysostom (347-407), Homilies on Matthew 13.1
Watch
Check out asburyreader.com and the short film posted today for an enhanced teaching on this
practice.
practicing
the story
Read these words aloud as though
spoken by the mouth of God to you: “You are my son/ daughter; my beloved. With
you I am well pleased.” Then respond to God with these words: “You are my
Father (or Abba), my beloved. With you I am well pleased.” Rehearse this way of
speaking God’s Word every morning in the shower as a way of becoming more
deeply immersed in your own baptism.
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