Sojourners of earth

The Lord our God though perfect He is, was tempted while in bodily form as the Son Jesus Christ. The devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down (Matthew 4:5-6).” The devil cited, “angels with their hands will support you, and your feet shall not be hurt.”

Jesus likewise has this answer, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test (Matthew 4:7).” Again the devil was very insistent, for he took Jesus to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and said, “These shall be yours if you prostrate yourself and worship me (Matthew 4:8-9).”

The Lord Jesus was quick with his answer: “Get away behind, the Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve (Matthew 4:10).” It is for God alone shall we bestow worship, though as Catholics we pray that the Virgin Mary intercede on our behalf.

Jesus was sturdy with his articulation, as he said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).” He was steadfast in all his ways as a God appearing in the form of a human, and was godlike in his gestures and speech, though he also smiles even laugh as mentioned in Psalms 37:13: “The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seethes that his day is coming (KJV).”

Accordingly, even though some may speak in tongues, they utter of God’s righteousness praising him even all day long (Psalm 35:28). As those of them are filled with insights, the Lord did guide them cleansing their mind and hearts. ‘Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scripture (Luke 24:27-NAB).’

If we try to analyze, Jesus did receive temptations but was firm to stand away and against those enticements, and was pure in his thoughts knowing only the Father for superiority and that though he was not subordinate being entwined with the Father, did not count equality with God as his recourse but that he may humble himself for the fulfillment of the mission to redeem man from sin.

He brought himself low in human form for equality among us being his brothers, living alike of our nature, joyful and compassionate and observes everyone that he may take recourse in the time that his help is needed. He wants us to grow and be strong to rise up if we stumble, yet he was ready with his arms enwrapped on us should we need a cane or an immediate rescue.

Our Lord sees all things, listens to everyone and is not deaf to our aspirations for he hears all the things we say, and is ready for an advice even offering material help, that we may know that we are not alone even though we feel far from God. He is intimate to those who seek him and explore his wonders, dying for his love and closeness.

The Lord has eyes to see our condition. He observes us who are led astray, as it is written: ‘a stray sheep was Israel that lions pursued (Jeremiah 50:17).’ As we continue in verse 20: ‘In those days, at that time,’ says the Lord: ‘they shall seek Israel’s guilt, but shall be no more, and Judah’s sins, but these shall no longer be found; for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.’

So God is not deaf to our pleadings, even not blind to our torments; how we suffer from pain because of broken families, how we are ill as a result of disease and how we are in anguish as a consequence of the many problems we heap upon us inasmuch as we are mortals and are of corruptible bodies that even our souls can be ruined.

When I was in Novaliches in the formation house of the Franciscan Conventual, while in full lotus and my mind was bare and empty, my inner eye saw the torso coming down from the cross while from the invisible arms and waist extend rays of bright lights while silver and gold dashes shower on the image and me. And the word came from the mouth of the figure, asking me, “Which would you prefer,” he said, “Me or life?”

Because, I could no longer breathe as my breath is suspended, I immediately answered, “Life Sir.” And the vision ends and I found myself still sitting in the full lotus as I lean at the back of the church’s altar table. Of course to me, I may have clung to the right choice since Jesus is not only the way and the truth but also the life. Could I have fallen to a deception, I may have died that very moment. But with God as my recourse, he would not end my life in a very tragic way.

Even in the hardest moments of our travail being sojourners of the earth, God has been always gentle and would speak in our hearts in perfect timing. We are not left alone to bear the pains in the corner while in tears but he sits beside us though in silence even without a word but just pure presence.