As those of you who read the vestry reports know, we have come to the end of our 3-year plan and have seen some progress on our goals to become more sustainable as a congregation. This year we will need to create a new plan that will help us use the gifts we have available to further our goals. It seems somewhat Spirit-filled that we are beginning this process on the day in which we hear the story when Jesus went into the wilderness and faced temptations. To what extent have we considered these temptations and the ways these might impact our efforts to continue to be a Gospel led Church that is also sustainable?
The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
What is the temptation here? Obviously, Jesus has been fasting and is hungry. Having something to eat fills the stomach but doesn’t solve the underlying problem, does it? Quick answers can make life easy and may work in the short-term. At the same time, we must always ask about the compromises we are making and whether or not these are reflective of how we choose to embody our faith? We must continually ask, are the choices we are making representative of how we see ourselves as a Gospel led Church?
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
What is the temptation here? There is privilege embedded in this temptation. The privilege of being close to God and the assumption that God will protect you if you ask. We are privileged in many ways. We are Canadians. That affords us a lot of privilege. We continue to learn about how we can use our privilege to support those who are challenged. This month’s thank you bank contributions going to the Hour-A-Day Study Club is one such example. We are continually challenged to reflect on how our actions serve those who need to benefit from the sharing of our resources rather than protecting our privilege.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
What is the temptation here? This temptation is ultimately about power. Who has power and how is it used? As Christians in the Western world, we hold a fair bit of power. We have seen it used in problematic ways and in liberating ways. Our support of the petition for the local Pride Crosswalk took power away from anyone who might try to use faith as a reason to oppose such a crosswalk. We are seeing other examples where people of faith are standing up to injustice and making a difference. As we plan for the future, how will we use our power to transform unjust structures of society, challenge violence, and pursue peace and reconciliation?
We have long recognised that our strength as a congregation is in the way we embody our faith. As we seek to become more sustainable in terms of attendance and finances, may we continue to keep the Gospel at the centre of our discernment remembering how Jesus responded to temptation so that we can avoid the traps of temptation and continue to be strong leaders in faith. This we pray as we sing: (VT) 306 I want Jesus to Walk with Me