Weekly Practice 2/23/26
Make every effort to do or reflect upon this week’s practice with others.
Prayer For the First Week of Lent
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Scripture
Matthew 4:1-11 MSG
Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.”
Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.”
Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”
For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.”
Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”
The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.
Practice
Memorize Scripture
Weakened by extreme hunger in the Judean wilderness, Jesus resisted the Devil’s temptations and half-truths with Scripture. He didn't argue. He didn’t trade barbs. He let the truth of Scripture do the talking. Maybe he was on to something.
This week, take time to memorize (or begin memorizing) a piece of Scripture. Any verse will do, but perhaps pick one that is especially important to you. Or find one that addresses any area of temptation for you. For example, if you find that you are impatient with others, maybe something like this fits the bill:
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3 NIV)
Or if you’re a chronic worrier, you might memorize a portion (or all?) of Matthew 6:25-34:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? …”
Jesus used memorized Scripture to fight his own temptations. If it was good enough for him, well….
Sonnets!
Three poems and reflections by poet-priest Malcolm Guite:
