Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     We have begun our Lenten journey hopefully with enthusiasm and determination to take each day as an opportunity to draw closer to our Lord and to imitate Him in our lives.   This Sunday’s Gospel directs us on our way.  Our Lord was led into the desert, there to confront the father of lies, deception, and evil.  To face temptation headlong and overcome it with serenity and the power that comes from doing the heavenly Father’s will.  Jesus affords the same serenity and power to us though at times we forget to utilize it in confronting temptations. 

     He was led into the temptations of the desert and so are we, perhaps in not so dramatic a fashion but just as real.  So it begs the two-fold question:  Why are we led there? And how do we resist?   Though we recoil at the thought of being put to the test or having to take a test we ask what is the purpose and what is the gain?  The purpose is to look deeply into ourselves and see what makes us tick,  what are we made of?   It is a means of self-discovery.  Do we really know ourselves and do we understand our relation to the world around us?  This quest separates us from the rest of creation.  The temptation then is to make us less human, less self-aware, just go with the flow instead of directing the flow to higher things, namely, the Divine.   It reminds us of what we should and must be pursuing, GOD.  

     The second answer to how we resist temptation: first, with humility, recognizing that we cannot do it on our own.  And where do we find the tools?  In the Sacramental life of the Church.  Christ readily gives us all we need:  Baptism, Confirmation, most especially the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Confession, which burns the evil one itself who dwells in the Inferno.

      Therefore we do not fear the temptations that come our way but instead meet them head on with the ammo God provides.  So be victorious as you navigate your way through holy Lent.

       Remember to mark your calendar and commit to joining your fellow pilgrims on March 20, Thursday evening at 7 PM, when Bishop Bambera will preside at the Solemn Vespers and Benediction in St. John’s Church. In this Jubilee year a plenary indulgence is acquired by visiting the Church, praying for the Pope, making a good confession and receiving Holy Communion with in an eight-day period. Hope to see you there.

With Blessings,

Father Langan