Welcome to the first in our Lenten reflection series, written by clergy in the Holy Land. 

Week One: Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11)

Written by Fr Fadi Diab, Rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - Ramallah

On the first Sunday of Lent, the church reads the account of Jesus’ temptation. Matthew informs us that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led in the wilderness, where he ate nothing at all during forty days. Jesus’ temptation is foundational for the Lenten season. It reminds the church of: its journey in the “wilderness” of our world; the alluring nature of materialism, power, and domination; and the church’s faithfulness to God’s vision. The faithfulness of Jesus inspires the Christian community toward resilience and resistance. The temptation reminds the church that Jesus, though divine, was also fully human and experienced real struggles. As human, he identified with humanity in its struggles and brokenness: He spent forty days alone; he was hungry; he was offered power, pride, and dominion. Jesus’ faithfulness inspires the Christian community to resist attractions that keep us away from God and God’s community.

Lent is a journey of reflection, prayer, penance, and fasting toward the Paschal Mystery. It is a journey away from “self-centeredness” and “personal advantage” toward God, neighbour, and the rest of creation. Lent is a time of resilience against powers that wish our acquiesce. It is a time of commitment to God and God’s purpose in the world. Lent is a time of confrontation to overcome powers that strive to control and exploit. Lent is a time of repentance, a change of mind, behaviour, and course of life. It is a time of new beginnings, renewal, and growth. 

For the last fifteen months, Palestinians have experienced their own temptation of war, destruction, displacement, uncertainties, diseases, anxiety, and anger. In the face of these temptations, the Christian community resisted acquiescence to despair or lure to self-centeredness. Churches, after the example of Jesus, have stood firm in their resilience and advocacy for ceasefire, justice, and peace. Individuals and communities exposed atrocities perpetrated on victims of aggression. They comforted the bereaved, supported the jobless, and donated to succour the needy and hungry.

Friends of the Holy Land, UK has responded to the emerging crisis. The Charity extended its work to cover new areas in the West Bank. It understood the temptation of Jesus as a message of solidarity with all those facing tribulations. It has created new programs to address the transpiring needs of the Christian community, including trauma, job creation, and research projects. It also increased the budget for other programs to support people during these challenging times. 

Jesus’ temptation imparts a message of resilience against evil powers. It communicates solidarity toward those who cannot resist because of socioeconomic and political challenges. In our Lenten journey, we experience the faithfulness of Jesus who in spite of his physical hunger and fragility resisted self-centeredness and power for the sake of his community and God’s creation. 

We call upon you to join us as we journey this holy season together.

 

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