When tragedy strikes or when a crisis comes into our life there are some among us who would say that it is the result of “obeah”, that somebody has put something evil on us, that we are the victim of “maljo”.

Today’s gospel story shows us through the experience of Jesus, Son of God, that there are times when the  Spirit would lead us to places where resources are low and living seems almost impossible. There are times when the Spirit would lead us out into the wilderness. But Why?

There is a popular saying, “Experience is the best teacher”, and we ourselves can remember many experiences we have lived through which have taught us important lessons. We know too that to mature in life we have to suffer growing pains.

This is one of the most effective ways of learning. When we have gone through these difficulties of life we often emerge a stronger more responsible person better prepared for our mission in life ahead.

Because we too have been in situations where we thought that all was lost we can better appreciate and understand what Jesus had to undergo when he was led into the wilderness.

Indeed when we read the gospel passage several times and reflect on the situation we learn a very important lesson of survival. Jesus shows us how to deal with a crisis situation when we are tempted in various ways.

At times we are deep in debt and we have the opportunity of stealing from our family, friend or employer; we are tempted to turn stone into bread for we think this would easily solve our problem. Just then we are called to remember that there is virtue in honesty.

Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes out the mouth of God. Though circumstances are very difficult and we are in the wilderness we can stand up for what we know is right and we grow into a stronger person. A friend or relative is there to help us.

There are those who try to turn stone into bread and become strangled in the throes of corruption, fraud and other dishonest practices. They find it hard to accept the fact that Man does not live by bread alone.

We have the saying that power corrupts. I do not believe that it is power that corrupts but really the love of power. King David was given power by God and ruled admirably for many years but became corrupt when the love of power led him to corruption.

How many of us have deservedly received promotion in our jobs, gained positions of authority and then behaved as if we had become gods.

We see this so often in politics and in the business world. We have put God to the test. Jesus in a similar situation, when tempted by the devil replies, “You must not put the Lord your God to the test”.

When we have these temptations we put in mind our neighbours, our family and friends who supported us on the way up; we remember those less fortunate than ourselves and resist the temptation to feel we can stand on our own and do whatever we want. We feel that if we fall we shall not hurt our foot against a stone.

Some of the most frequented places in the country are betting pools and lotto outlets. This is because, to combat the wilderness of a lack of financial resources we are overcome by the temptation to turn stone into bread, to win easy money. We spend money we can ill afford even if our family has to suffer.

We have visions of owning the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. We worship money, our god. We need to own as much as possible to lift our status in life.

This is one of our most difficult temptations but Jesus shows us how to handle it: “Be off, Satan! For scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.”

Lord, we thank you for all those who have had a positive effect on our life by the example they have set. We thank you for our parents and teachers who have taught us to live virtuous lives.

We thank you for all those who have given us a high sense of values. By their way of living they have shown us that even when we are in difficulties we must not give in to the temptation of turning stones into loaves for our life does not depend only on material wealth.

Forgive us for the many times we so easily gave in to the temptation of gaining power by unfair means, when we thought a little dishonesty would lead us out of the wilderness that we were led into. So many times we cheated our customers;  we underpaid those in our employ, we were dishonest employees.

We thought that this would help make us self-sufficient so that we would not have to depend on anyone including you. We did not realise that one day we would fall. Forgive us for putting you to the test.

Lord, send into our homes, our communities and our country friends and leaders who by their lives will be examples of how we conduct ourselves when we experience the wilderness.

May we find among us people who would not be afraid to let us know that we are at times led into the wilderness by the Spirit, and that the difficulties we encounter in life often help us prepare ourselves for our mission on earth. Amen.

Gospel Meditations for February are by Felix Edinborough a parishioner of St Anthony’s, Petit Valley.