WEEKLY REFLECTION 

When God called Moses to free the Israelites from their captivity in Egypt, God led them into the wilderness to his holy mountain at Sinai. There Moses ascended the mountain and met with God face to face for 40 days in prayer and fasting. The prophet Elijah was also led on a 40 day journey to the holy mountain at Sinai to seek the face of God. God sustained Elijah for his journey with supernatural bread from heaven.

Jesus was no exception to this pattern of testing and preparation for the mission his Father gave him. He was led into the wilderness for 40 days without food and little shelter. He had nothing to sustain himself in this barren wilderness except what the Father would provide for him during his forty days of prayer and fasting. 

Jesus' testing in the wilderness was similar to the test which Adam and Eve underwent when God made them stewards of his creation and sharers in his glory and power. Satan tempted Adam and Eve with pride and envy to claim equality with God. As a consequence of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise and driven into the wilderness. 

Jesus now freely enters the wilderness in order to regain Paradise for the lost children of God. Jesus was tempted like us and he overcame sin not by his own human effort but by the grace and strength which his Father gave to him. He had to renounce his will for the will of his Father. 

The Lord Jesus gives us his Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness and to be our guide and consoler in temptation and testing. God wants us to "fight the good fight of the faith” with the power which comes from the Holy Spirit. Do you rely on the Lord for your strength and help?

Reflections courtesy of Evengeli.net.