First Sunday of Lent which always conveys a sense of inauguration about it and ties in neatly with spring which is still 3 weeks off.

The Gospel (Lk 4.1-13) keeps in line with the theme of beginnings, if you will, where the devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness. Matthew uses "devil" (diabolos) as well whereas Mark has "Satan." The first verse is interesting despite the fact that it contains what you could call biblical "catch phrases." It reads, "And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit...was led by the Spirit for 40 days in the wilderness." I.e., being filled suggests something inside, not outside, so being led comes from within and does not necessarily mean having thoughts. The verse ends with "tempted by the devil:" not during the 40 days but "when they were ended" [vs. 2] or sunteleo, where the notion of ending is associated with completion, so literally we have "perfected with." This temptation is consistent with the end of 40 days which goes against the common assumption that Jesus was actually tempted in the desert. To prove this, consider vs. 9 where the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, that is, took him from the desert. This, of course, stands in stark contrast with the Holy Spirit who led him into the desert. The Gospel ends with vs. 14 where we are reassured that Jesus still retains the Holy Spirit: "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee."

One practical note on all this...when a person has been on retreat, temptations may come. However, the real temptations come when returning to normal life. Nothing has changed there, yet the person who had been in the desert changed and hence is more subject to being tempted.

Looks like another beauty is on tap for today. I may get out for a walk but will have to squeeze in before 2pm because I'm invited to attend a service at Grafavogskirkja. My Lutheran priest friend who recently got authority through the Porvoo Agreement to function as an Anglican priest, is going to preside.