Temptation and Identity
Last Wednesday, as Elke and I were preparing the pizza that is served at the start of each of our Confirmation classes (the youngsters have just come direct from the Burrow School), Elke proceeded to prepare a serving of popcorn in the microwave. This was put into a bowl in the centre of the table with a note placed over it ‘Do not touch!’ It was interesting to watch their reaction. Hands reached out and then pulled back. In the course of the class, we got them to talk about their feelings, their reactions. It wasn’t a very dramatic temptation. It would not have mattered if the popcorn had not been there – they didn’t actually need it. There was that ongoing experience of temptation, that nagging feeling.
Jesus in the wilderness – basic line behind all the questions is ‘Is this really worth it? – there are easier ways to do this?’
That is how temptation really hits us – is all this really worth it – ah go on, go on, go on – take the easy option.
If you’re learning music - Do you really have to practice
If you are doing sport - Do you really have to train
School work can be an awful drag
Going back to Jesus and his temptations – the questions were about being true to who he was.
Same for us – temptation and our response to temptation is about being true to who we are. People talk about being your own person not what other people telling you what you ought to be.
Being true to ourselves as followers of Jesus
Being trustworthy, being compassionate, being forgiving – trying to do what Jesus would do in whatever situation we find ourselves in.
Prayer of St Ignatius
Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest;
To give, and not to count the cost,
to fight, and not to heed the wounds,
to toil, and not to seek for rest,
to labor, and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do thy will.