"The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert..."
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert? Yes. To the place where the Father knew His Son was going to be tempted by Satan for 40 days? Yes. Is this a good Father? Yes. Is our God a good Father even when He allows us to suffer and be tried by Satan? Yes.
Why? Because a good father wants his child to grow and trust in him. In suffering and temptation we are given a chance to show our fidelity to the Father. Jesus, by being tempted in the desert, showed His fidelity to the Father and was prepared for His public ministry. So, too, our Heavenly Father wants us to grow and be prepared to go out to the world and proclaim the Good News.
Jesus told Peter that Satan would sift him like wheat for following the Lord and proclaiming the Gospel. Jesus also told him that He had already prayed for him for those moments of trial. Jesus stands before the Father today, too, to pray for us when we face those moments when we are tempted and tried, that our faith may not fail (see Lk 22:31-32). Turn to Jesus in your moments of trial and temptation and pray, "Jesus, I trust in You," so that, "the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:7).
Today's Readings:
Scripture:
Gn 9:8-15;
Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9;
1 Pet 3:18-22;
Mk 1:12-15
Read Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 1560
See the first week of meditations to date.