From Three Tempts to Three Tents, what is the difference?
Satan’s three temptations were nothing more than three shortcuts to avoid the Cross that would bring about our salvation. Ultimately, the anti-Christ is known by the fact that he separates us from the Cross of our Salvation. The short cuts summarize the methodology of the evil one in all of our cases. We are tempted to seek the pleasure of the instincts that God has placed in us. We all enjoy the “freebies” and we will hustle to get our share of any handout. In the second temptation, we find mankind in love with the unusual, the entertainment factor is quite important to us. Consider the super bowls, the world series,the competition in any sport. Finally, we are political people and would like to rule the world. Each of these temptations surround us on all sides but what about this Sunday’s experience of the Transfiguration?
Our Lord is on the way to Jerusalem and we know quite well what will happen there. In the meantime He takes the three special apostles (Peter, James and John) up a high mountain, and there they experience the appearance of the law giver, Moses, and the prophet who never died, Elias. Both are now finding their perfection in our Lord Who is the true law giver and the One who gives life to all. St. Luke reveals the conversation of the three: the coming death of our Lord.
As always Peter speaks first and says that it is good that we are here and let us build three tents here one for our Lord, one for Moses and one for Elias. In modern terms let us stay here in this heavenly place and forget the world down there. In other words forget about that Cross which Jerusalem will place on you. In that moment, a bright cloud appears and a Voice speaks: “This is my Beloved Son, hear ye Him.”
Reaching out Jesus touches the apostles and removes their fear. Now only the Son of God remains and He informs the three that they are not to discuss this vision until the Son of God rises from the dead. The Tents represent the fourth temptation to avoid the Cross. We all want heaven but we don’t want the discipline that is needed to come into that kingdom. We avoid all aspects of denial. Instead of fasting throughout Lent we reduce the fast and abstinence to two days (Ash Wednesday, Good Friday).
Catholics today are more concerned about convenience than about sacrifice. Consider the high number of Catholic couples using the pill to avoid another child. They believe in “Birth control”, which means they believe neither in birth nor in control. Look at the families that populate the Conciliar church and you will find at most 3 or 4 children but usually only 2. We are not even reproducing enough children to continue our race. In effect, we are turning over our Christian heritage to the Moslem brotherhood who have plenty of children.
Ironically, America is beginning to witness the multiplication of mosques while the churches are being closed in every diocese in America. The writing is on the wall and it is the result of the tent mentality, Jesus without the cross. Is this phenomenon the result of an increase of prayer? No, I believe that as we have lost the discipline of fasting so our prayer life has dried up as well and finally forget about trusting God and tithing. Whatever became of our mission boxes which sent funds to the poor as a result of our Lenten discipline?
Let’s face it. The Church has taken on a tent mentality and sees all things from the eyes of the politician. Our Bishops are worried about their funds coming from the government as they sponsor immigrants. Do they worry about abortion and organize their flocks to stop the murdering of the innocent? Not at all. If only Americans and especially our Catholic Americanswould wake up and recognize the coming chastisement that the Moslems will inflict on all who will not convert to Islam. Death sentences await any and all who will not deny Christ.
Let us return to the true discipline of Lent begging our Lord to spare His people who have sinnedand need to repent unto God. May our Lady intercede for us with her Son and may we all pray many rosaries each day for our conversion. If we learn to live by our faith, then our faithwill conquer the world, the flesh, and the devil. God bless us all.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Voigt, S.D.B.
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