Renounce, Reject, Repent

This is the first Sunday in Lent, and our theme for Lent is “I Will: Living Our Baptismal Vows.” Today’s reading is Luke’s account of the time Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted, immediately following his baptism. Although this can be a shocking first step in a baptismal ceremony, to cite what we are turning away from lays groundwork for our faith. Jesus, himself, as soon as he was baptized, was reported to have gone into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting and temptation. The temptations Jesus faced can be interpreted as our own temptations: first, to trust ourselves rather than God; second, to rely on worldly power instead of on God; and third, to put on a show. It is a fitting beginning to this season of Lent.