Jesus was tempted as we all are tempted, the difference being that we can resist sometimes but at others we end up as sinners. The three temptations of Jesus cover the whole area of sin. There are three desires, the first for all things material, the second for celebrity status and the third for power. As we look around our world today not a lot has changed. All of us are trapped by one or more of these desires. There is a difference in degree to which we respond but we all sin in some way. We are not here to score points off each other or to prove that my sin isn’t as great as your sin. In the end it is about my personal relationship with my God and that is all that matters. If we are penitent whether our sins are great or small, I am forgiven, you are forgiven.

There is a lovely prayer in Common Worship placed just before Communion:

Most merciful Lord, your love compels us to come in. Our hands were unclean, our hearts were unprepared; we were not fit even to eat the crumbs from under your table. But you, Lord, are the God of our salvation, and share your bread with sinners. So cleanse and feed us with the precious body and blood of your Son, that he may live in us and we in him; and that we, with the whole company of Christ, may sit and eat in your kingdom. Amen.

It is in the past tense because we have made our confession and been given absolution, but if we were to use this prayer daily it may be better to say,

“Most merciful Lord, your love compels us to come in. Our hands are unclean, our hearts are unprepared; we are not fit even to eat the crumbs from under your table.”

For on a daily basis that is the truth, isn’t it? All I can do is to place myself into the hands of God, knowing that God will always share his bread with me a sinner, that no matter how many times I come and ask for forgiveness he will open his arms and welcome me back.

May God bless us all in the days of Lent. Amen

Andrew SSL