A.M.D.G.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:1)
I find myself in the desert not forty days, but forty times one thousand days! Meaning that all the days of my life is a battle against the spirit of malice. I cannot carry on by myself in this desert, there is no water, no bread to eat, and certainly no shelter. I don’t find any purpose in this desert (referring to this world), I go to school and just walk through the motions and don’t do my homework because it is pointless. I get bad grades on my test and I give up because I feel stupid. I see the media on t.v. and I see celebrities living the “good life”, and so I fantasize about this “good life.” And it leads me to disrespect my parents because I criticize them for not buying me the greatest brand of clothes, or for not letting me go out with my friends for the night. Man I can’t live the “good life”! I never want to work and I reject my dad’s request for help to mow the lawn, because I want to live the “good life” and I do not deserve that. In this desert I am no one! I want to live in a world that is impossible for me to reach. Great, now I want to try alcohol and give up on my hopes and dreams because they are unreachable. I want to experiment new stuff with my friends because my parents do not let me do anything! Maybe I should try running away and try to find this “good celebrity life.” In this desert the devil has destroyed my relationship with my parents who sacrificed everything to bring me into this beautiful world. I am just a nomad in this desert counting the days until I die.The loud clear voices around me keep telling me to give up, on my parents, on my life, and maybe even the world. But wait! There is someone calling out to me! I see a bright light! However I rebuke this light because I live in darkness and I like to be hidden in the dark, cold, nihilistic world.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.'” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant.The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish.All this will be yours, if you worship me. Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and: ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. (Luke 4:3-13)
In this world of no hope I am always hungry, but yet even after over indulgence I do not feel satisfied there is something missing. I do not have a true fill. I like the idea of power and glory, I want to reach the top of the world and take over, with money, power, status, and all men to fear me. However, as was Macbeth, I am paranoid, always worried that someone might steal my possessions, or someone might fight for this power, and then leads to war, and more war. I will become unhappy and like Macbeth I will make the greatest mistakes of my life. Life? I have no life roaming the world like this. I am a Catholic human but yet, do I know my Catholic faith? Then, voices tell me, if there is a God then he will help me with the struggles of life, and then I see no sign, and my soul decays in nastiness.What do I want to do for the rest of my life? Do I have true friends? Do I love and obey my parents? I look back, and upon reflecting, I see no meaning in my life.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.(Luke 4:14-15)
Who is this Jesus and where has he been in my life? Wait a second, the question should be where have I sought Him out in my life!?!? He performs miracles, cures the sick, brings consolation to the suffering, dines with sinners, and desires mercy not sacrifice! For Jesus says the Father never stops working, and without Jesus I can do nothing! However, I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me. Wow! Is this not the “good life”? A life of love and service to my neighbor.A life of peace and joy from Jesus Christ.A life of fighting for justice in the name of Christ. I suddenly find myself filled. I am satisfied by listening to the Word, and receiving Jesus in sacrament. All of a sudden my life has purpose now. God planned my life so that I may impact others through the wondrous works of Christ. I came to know Jesus who knows me more than I know myself, and the descending of the Holy Spirit has helped me to prevail temptations.The powerful weapons of Jesus: prayer, fasting, and making no participation with injustice brings Him into my life.A life betrothed to God is a life worth eternity.
Pope Francis recalls to us that, even though in our busy lives it is hard to see God in our routines, so we must set aside all the unnecessary and bring our petitions to God Almighty. Experiencing simple life in one day to pray for peace liberates us from the loud voices of this world and lets us listen to God’s small still voice.We must have courage for this.We can’t simply live a life like Jesus if we spend no time with Him. So, Pope Francis encourages us to step it up, free ourselves to Jesus and see how His graces respond to EVERY needs of the people. Jesus loves us like no other, and all he wishes is for us to walk with Him, and set the world on fire with His love.
I have true happiness and only desire Jesus in my life. For He has overcome the world, and He will always be with us until the end of times. And like Simeon holding the infant Jesus, I can now say that I have seen the glory of the Messiah, I am ready to rest in peace.
