It's amazing how as Westerners we have at our fingertips. Many of us have plenty to eat and adequate or even plush and stylish shelter, unless we do something stupid we live relatively secure lives, and with social media even the occasional flash in the pan or a role as an influencer (intended or not).
At what cost?
What I described above is not universal. Far from it. Huge swaths of humanity do not have adequate or even safe food and drink or shelter or clothing. Many live in fear of the next threat that lurks just around the corner. Many die in obscurity, forgotten by those supposedly close to them. Often, these people are sacrificed and exploited to feed the bigger demands of others around the globe.
But that doesn't stop them from wanting the same. Food. Security. Riches.
In our Gospel today (readings for Mass today can be found here) we read that after His baptism but before His ministry, Our Lord Jesus fasted in the wilderness 40 days. This was a hard fast, such that made the "Black Fast" of many Christians around the word seem like child's play. He would have been at the uttermost end of His human endurance, nothing left on His frame to sustain Himself, urgently needing to start take nourishment (slowly!) to rebuild His wasted frame and to regain His strength.
People in this condition are at their most vulnerable, but sometimes at their clearest.
This was no unintended famine-induced fast but a time of lone prayer in the desert, just Himself and the Father, readying Himself for the task to come. So at His weakest, he perhaps was not at His "weakest".
The Adversary and Accuser came to Him and offered Him food, that it was within His power. He offered Him a showy proof of HIs security, knowing that powerful celestial beings were watching out for Him. He offered Him power and riches and influence beyond anything any human ever held. The catch was that he abuse His power, abuse His position, and turn His back on the Father to worship the Adversary.
Physically Jesus may have been spent, but spiritually He was not. He had not gotten fuzzy with His fast, focusing solely on His Father. No, He was prepared for the trap.
Food may nourish the body, the body may numb the desires of the soul, but cannot feed the spirit. Only God can feed the spirit, which in turn nourishes the soul, which in turn helps sustain the body along with food.
God's protection is not there to protect from wanton carelessness or for showy displays of faith. Faith means not having to test God for His responsiveness.
The Accuser in no wise should be worshipped or "given his due." To God alone be worship, and honour, and glory. There is nothing on Earth worth breaking that relationship.
When we chase after Food, Security, and Riches, we play into the hands of the Accuser, who wants nothing more than us to drift further away from God. If we truly want to be fed, to be secure, and to be known, we seek these from God, who alone is the source of all. What good is our body if our soul and spirit withers on the vine? What need is there of security if we step outside where true security is? Why swear allegiance to someone who does not have our best interest at heart.
Perhaps this Lent we should explore what it means to live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; to live not by putting God to the test, but having faith that when it truly is needed (in our relationship) He is truly there; to live not by breaking our relationship with God, but by strengthening it.
That is our fast, to break free from the chains and delusions of this life and to turn to the one relationship that really matters.
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