A Poem a Sunday

February 14, 2016

Lent I - C

Luke 4:1-13 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

As we begin our Lenten Journey we see that Jesus is led by the Spirit into a vision quest in the wilderness.  We are invited into a vision quest these next 40 days.  In the power of the Spirit we can face our nemesis claimed by our God in Holy Baptism.  God empowers us in Christ to an ongoing life of transformation.  

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. ³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

⁵ Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. ⁷ If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” ⁸ Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”

⁹ Then the devil^[c] took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰ for it is written,  ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ ¹¹ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

¹² Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”¹³ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

A Poem a Sunday - Quest

I. Prologue

The desert Spirit drives the heart

into the silent caves,

where solitude becomes an art

and time ceases its waves.

In the circle the Shaman sits

a quest that lasts for days.

Sits and waits for a nemesis

that tempts in seductive ways:

II. Temptation

Tempter:

“Bread, the daily sustenance,

bread from these stones now create.

You’ve got the power

this is your hour.  You are here to save.”

 Shaman:

“With bread alone

one dies at home

the Word is what they need.”

Tempter:

“Come see the view.  The world awaits you.

Now bend your knee to me.

As partners we can rule the world

for all eternity.”

Shaman:

“Allegiance to the Divine

comes with a total heart.

Now is your time to depart.”

Tempter:

“The Temple pinnacle, yet another view

of how the world can be.

Throw yourself into their midst.

Set your people free.”

Shaman:

“The Temple square

is no place to dare

or test the living God.

Go your way,

you’ve had your say,

you ancient Tempter from *Nod.”

III. Epilogue

The wind still blows

and calls us all

to face our nemesis.

The desert drives us

into deep caves

to transform and to bless.

*Nod - legendary city to which Cain was banished.

Copyright @A Poem a Sunday – Kenn Storck – February 8, 2016

May be reproduced with permission of the author:  kennstorck@gmail.com