Led by the Spirit

First Sunday of Lent

By Phil Russell

Brothers and sisters: What does Scripture say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart —that is, the word of faith that we preach—, for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Romans 10:8-13

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.  Luke 4:12-13

Piety

Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Study

Are you ready for the Test?

I made my Cursillo on Ascension Thursday, in May of 1993.... It was the 91st Men's Weekend. Somehow before and during the Weekend, I began to STUDY Psalm 91.

I learned something about Psalm 91. “You who dwell in the secret place of the Most High, who dwell under the shadow of the Almighty" speaks of the Prayer Shawl (Tallit) with its fringe (Tzitzit) on the four corners.  It is symbolic of this very “dwelling" or "covering” when we go to prayer. This is the fringe of the garment that the woman, healed by Jesus in her touch of His garment. The Righteousness of Jesus is the garment that we wear, by the virtue of our Baptism.  This is how we are to stand and to "dwell" in the Secret Place. This is what Psalm 91 would have meant to Jesus and to those of his day.  The garment also was spoken of in Numbers 15:31-34. 

Action

"For everyone who CALLS on the Name of The Lord will be saved."

 

So, here is Jesus (in the Gospel) FILLED with the Holy Spirit, LED by the Spirit (into the desert for FORTY DAYS,) to be tempted by the devil...

Jesus said to him in reply, "You shall not put The Lord, your God, to the test."

So, I personally can relate to these words from the Book of Deuteronomy. "My father was a wandering Aramean who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien...but  living there was maltreated and oppressed, hard labor imposed...God, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, brings me to this country, giving US this land flowing with milk and honey."

 

Isn't that JESUS?!

Isn't that EUCHARIST?!

Brothers and Sisters:  Are YOU READY FOR THIS?  

Welcome to the LENTEN JOURNEY!  

"BE LED BY THE SPIRIT!"  "For to His Angels, He has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways."