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Home Page
The Rector's Welcome
Worship
Sermons
Music & the Organ
Newsletter
Schedule & Events
History
Programs & Ministries
Tour the Building
Links
Map & Directions
Monthly Calendar
Home Page
The Rector's Welcome
Worship
Sermons
Music & the Organ
Newsletter
Schedule & Events
History
Programs & Ministries
Tour the Building
Links
Map & Directions
Monthly Calendar
Fr. J. D. Ousley
25 February 2007Luke 4“Don't Tempt Me”
In the Name of God: Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Amen.
Thanks to the diligent work of scientists, we are frequently told that something we once thought was good for us is really bad for us.
We were informed a few years ago that the standard "good breakfast" for Americans — bacon-and-eggs contains a lot of harmful fat and cholesterol. Now we learn that if we only eat fruits and vegetables, we can get vitamin deficiencies.
Scientists also tell us that something that we thought was bad for us can actually be beneficial.
Failing to exercise has long been considered a risk to one's health: you need to flex your muscles and get your blood flowing to stay in shape. But doctors who treat older people warn that they risk damaging their joints when they exercise too much — when they run long distances on hard roads, for example. So some seniors would be better off spending more time in their rocking chairs!
We all know that those who drink a lot of alcohol risk damaging their health and becoming addicted. But scientists also tell us that adults who drink moderately can lower their risk of heart disease.
(I was shocked when I took a test provided by the church's health insurance company and I learned that I would likely live longer if I drank more than I do! As it happens, I haven't taken the company's advice to increase my consumption of alcohol — though that would make a novel vow for Lent!)
So the media regularly announce new ways we can hurt ourselves. No doubt many habits we now believe promote our well-being will, in twenty years, will be exposed as hazardous to our health.
Yet Christians already know from the Bible how hard it is to do the right thing. The story of the Temptation of Christ by the Devil, which we heard in today's Gospel, shows that there are many choices we can make that seem to be good decisions but which end up leading us in a bad direction.
So, in the story of the Temptation, Jesus goes out in the wilderness to prepare for his public ministry. He remains there for forty days, praying and fasting. At the end of this period, he has a vision of the Devil.
The Devil first challenges him to change a stone into bread. This would be more than a kind of clever magic trick; someone who could change stones into bread would be able to feed every hungry person.
Satan next offers Jesus power "over the nations of the world." We can imagine that such global political power could be a global blessing: could force nations to get along with each other.
The third temptation put before Christ might also seem to lead to much good. If Jesus could jump off cliffs and survive, that would be proof of his divine power. People would be certain that he was the Messiah; they would be compelled to follow him.
But since Satan is making these proposals, we can be certain that they aren't as good as they look. And in fact, what appear to be features of a better world would prove disastrous.
A world in which humans didn't have to work for our food and in which we had no responsibility for governing ourselves — and in which we had no need for faith; this would essentially be a world in which we played no part. We human beings would find ourselves inmates in a kind of prison. We would lose our humanity.
Although our meals would be provided and our lives would be peacefully ordered, such a world — as Christ recognizes — would actually be ruled by Satan, not God.
Thus God has made us free to act in a world filled with temptations. And the season of Lent reminds us to be sorry for the times we misuse the freedom God has given us — when we hurt ourselves and other people.
But although Lent has this serious purpose, I think one way to use Lent for our spiritual good is to realize that it is a sort of game. Lent vows aren't meant to be like moral rules.
Someone might decide to limit her spending on clothing for the season of Lent. This doesn't mean that if she bought a new hat for Easter, she would be "going against the law of God." Buying that hat would only be breaking a vow that she had made for herself to be followed during the season of Lent.
In other circumstances, buying clothes can be a temptation to sin — as when a compulsive shopper buys clothes for himself instead of food for his children.
But, in general, Lenten vows serve as artificial tests we set for ourselves. Why do we do this? To learn about temptation — to learn how temptation applies to us.
That's why the vows must be tailored individually to each person. I, myself, wouldn't choose to give up alcohol for Lent because I drink so seldom that keeping that vow wouldn't be much of a challenge. Rather, I need to give up something or take on something that will teach me about my particular weaknesses.
As it happens, I've noticed that when I set Lenten vows for myself, I try to make vows that won't be too hard. This doesn't always work — God has a sense of humor; and the challenges I set for myself turn out to be harder than I think they will be!
Yet in this way, the game of Lent serves to provide me with insight into how strong my temptations are. As I struggle to carry out my vows, I learn the definite limits of my will-power.
In fact, "will-power" may not be the right word. It may be that we learn more in Lent about our "won't power."
We think we are in control of ourselves, but in reality, we find yawning gaps between what we want to do and what we actually do.
To give a totally personal example which may be relevant to no one present except me: I have this Lent given up between-meal snacks. Not a big deal, you would think.
It should be easy for me to avoid occasions of this temptation. I don't keep food in my office; I don't eat when I visit folks in the hospital; and I don't snack during church services. In other words, most of the time, I'm in a snack- free situation.
Yet I know from past experience that temptations are certain to arise when I least expect them. "Coincidentally" with my vow, I'm bound to pass some deli and an employee offers me a free sample of a new sandwich. On Thursday, I was going to buy a paper, and I found a candy in my pocket that I had picked up at a restaurant. I thought how good that would taste — and I was about to unwrap it when I remembered my vow!
It is as though we are equipped with temptation "sensors." As soon as we resolve to do without something, our unconscious minds start figuring out ways to get precisely what we have resolved to give up. No wonder the confession in Morning Prayer refers to the "devices and desires" of our hearts!
These temptation sensors can also work in reverse. Say you decide to "take on" something for Lent.
Suppose you decide to meditate for fifteen minutes every Saturday morning. Saturday morning arrives, and suddenly, you can't believe the number of things you find to do instead! You have phone calls to make or to answer, you have errands to run; you're really tired and you need to take a nap.
Distractions pop up at every turn — and you just don't have the time for your weekly meditation.
Still the "game" we play with our Lenten vows is a useful one. And it has the serious purpose of reminding us how weak our will-power can be, and how strong our won't-power can be.
All the more reason to pray, as Jesus taught, "Lead us not into temptation!"
And now unto that same God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be ascribed as is most justly due all might, majesty, power, dominion and praise, now and forever, Amen.