One moment Jesus rose from the Jordan River and the sky opened, the Spirit descended and a voice from heaven stated: “This is my Beloved Son, listen to Him.” The baptism of everyone born of woman began the public life of Jesus, our Lord. Strange that from that point the Spirit moved Jesus to purify and prepare Himself for His mission among men. So, to the desert He went and for forty days He fasted, He prayed and He conquered human nature in His love for their souls. Why did He fast? Why did He pray? Why did He entertain the temptations of the devil?
There is no simple answer to those questions but there is a hint of the mystery if we look beyond the temptations to the “why” which underlies each. He fasted to prepare to attain His earthly goal. He prayed to intercede for each of us. He fought the demonic in order to teach us. What was the goal that encouraged all that He did? The goal was to reveal to men the great Love of God for their souls. He was on a quest for souls and the devil wished to keep Him from that goal and so the temptations were all demonic short-cuts.
Now the devil’s premise: “If you are the Son of God,…” and now the conclusion: then you must be about gathering souls. Satan continued with the notion that men seek freebies. They want the pleasures of food. Their bodies dictate to them so if you seek them give them bread. Change these stones into fresh bread and the mobs will come after you to feed their bellies. There are immigrants all around you and they want the goods of the earth. Starvation is not a pretty thing so why not become a social do-gooder. They will follow you and you will not have to suffer. Today this temptation has taken over our bishops who make billions on their care for the immigrant poor. They will produce the bread for the body while they neglect the eternal Bread of Life for the soul. But Jesus’ response echoes through the centuries: “Not with bread alone does man live but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
In the second temptation the same goal is presented by the tempter. You want to know how to amass people then follow their desire for fun and games. Be an entertainer, a celebrity and the people will flock to you and your show. So cast yourself down from this temple top and the angels will gather you up that you shall not even stub your toe. The people will love the show of power and as son of God you will become a household word. They will come for the show and you can put a star on your dressing room door. That’s how you can bring in the sheep. Funny, how the bishops accepted this temptation and established liturgical committees in order to entertain the masses at the Novus Ordo ad experimentum whatever. Now the people clap their hands and sing “halleluia” while the savior is crucified in rare fashion every week until the covid virus came along and shut down the entertainment. Jesus turned on Satan and chose the way of the scars over being a star.
Finally, the most deceptive temptation did not recognize Jesus as son of God but the divine was presented with all the kingdoms and peoples of the world. All Jesus had to do in order to transfer them to His kingdom was to give Satan a little equal worship. Politics has become the heart of the world today and every ruler buys into the power in order to amass food, entertainment and control over the masses. Elevation for the bishops, the senators, the president and enslavement for the common man. Jesus cuts to the very heart of this deceit and tells Satan to be gone for the Lord alone shall you serve and He alone shall you worship.
Dear family, be aware that the temptations are being played out over the world and the priestly souls that expose the presence of Satan in the Synagogue of the Jews, the communists, the masons, the ecologists, the feminist. Each one of them want the power to enslave us. We can only conquer them by standing up to their falsehoods with the power of God’s word and work. The Sacraments of Holy Confession and holy Communion are the keys to survival and success. Devotion to our Lady leads us to daily sacrifice in and through our daily duties. Praying the rosary as often as possible and consecrating your home and yourself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament or spiritual communions. Often walk the path of salvation by praying the Stations alone or with others. Times are serious and we must cut out all nonsense and become the saints God intended us to be upon our creation. Courage now and we shall see the victory promised by our Lady.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Richard Voigt
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