Contemplation with Jesus in the Wilderness
Katie Harmon-McLaughlin, World Church Spiritual Formation Team lead
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. -Isaiah 58:6-9
I am sitting in the desert with Jesus. We are famished and tired, sweat baked onto our skin from days of high heat, dry air, no option of bathing. As the temptations unfold before us, I ponder momentarily: Is Jesus foolish or wise for turning down all these things I crave?
Hungering with him, he turns away our chance for bread. My stomach growls, and I grow irritated. He is gentle and steadfast in his explanations. “Wait for what really sustains,” he encourages. I feel my unsettledness turning slowly to ease. An inner strength begins to form each time we say “no” aloud. How many times in my life has the urge of the instant taken the place of a patient nourishing? This resistance is a spiritual act.
A second time, we are tempted with invincibility, the refusal to acknowledge our human vulnerability. We could make ourselves into gods, untouched by the bounds of mortality. As we speak aloud our “no,” I am flooded with the realization that I often want and try to be more than I really am. Jesus places a hand on my knee, affirming, “You are enough. To live into your full capacity is to also know and respect your limits.” The ease within grows deeper. There’s no need to throw myself against the rocks of busyness or achievement to prove that I can withstand the fall.
A third time, we are tempted with all the power, riches, and glory we could ever imagine. I thought I was becoming well practiced in this sacred resistance, but my ego is aroused. “You could be successful!” it says, “Don’t lose this chance to have all this influence!” I begin to justify how the yes might be ok this time, “But, Jesus, we should consider this one! Think of all the good we could do if only we had this power!”
Yet again, gentle and persistent, he offers a sacred no in response. “God’s kingdom,” he says, “cannot be given or taken, only lived. It belongs not to one, but to all. The road to its gate is not success, but humility.”
We sit together in silence, a strength forming. The temptations may continue coming, but we no longer notice. We enter into that richest space that cannot be bought. After a time, we get up and walk toward the city with clarity of heart, reordered priorities and passions. We move together toward the call that beckons, the deepest yes emerging, now free to respond.
Prayer Phrase
Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?
Spiritual Practice
Gospel Contemplation (Matthew 4:1-11)
Each week during Lent, you are invited to pray with a different gospel story from the life of Christ. Use your senses and imagination to enter the text. Allow it to come to life in you, observing details, noticing interactions, even engaging in dialogue. Notice where you find yourself in the story and how you feel about what is happening. Notice what it evokes in you or invites of you. Take time to journal or enter silent prayer to reflect on your experience and to sense where the Spirit may be leading you through this scriptural encounter.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
