TEMPTATIONS OF THE LENTEN DESERT - One Bread, One Body, 3/6/2008

Fasting for Lent? This Daily Bread radio program entitled "Fasting" will
teach you more about fasting and help you fast this Lent.

http://www.presentationministries.com/dbread/dbread.asp?pubID=694
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Thursday, March 6, 2008

Exodus 32:7-14, Psalm 106:19-23, John 5:31-47
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/030608.shtml

TEMPTATIONS OF THE LENTEN DESERT

"They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making
for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it." —Exodus 32:8

During Lent we imitate Jesus as He was led by the Spirit into the desert
(Lk 4:1). The desert is not only a physical place but a spiritual
condition. We give alms to the degree that we don't have money to buy what
we usually buy. We pray so often we deprive ourselves of our customary
diversions. We fast so much we don't have the stimulation we usually have.
We enter an emotional, psychological, and spiritual desert. We're hungry
for pleasure, entertainment, and food.

We're also hungry for God. The devil will tempt us to give priority to our
carnal desires. He will try to manipulate and bribe us with food, power,
and pleasure (see Lk 4:3, 6-7). If we give in to these temptations, we
will have given something priority over God. In effect, we will have made
a golden calf in the desert and worshiped an idol (see Ex 32:8).

However, if we resist the temptation to leave the desert by our own power
and find our own promised land, we will see our heavenly Father provide
for us, His children. We will move into a new dimension of trust in our
Father. In the Lenten desert, we will either be manipulated by sin or
transformed by Abba.

Prayer: Abba, father me out of my desert into the promised land.

Promise: "These very works which I perform testify on My behalf that the
Father has sent Me." —Jn 5:36

Praise: Moving into the desert financially, Maureen saw the providential
care of her heavenly Father.

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
February 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati,
August 14, 2007

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

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