Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Psalm 90, Romans 10:8-13, Luke 4:1-13

“Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” (Luke 4:5-8)

The second temptation of Jesus reminds us that so many of our brothers and sisters have decided to worship the devil because of worldly pleasures, riches and power … But “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul” asked Jesus in the Gospels.

How many truly stand by true worship of God especially when they are faced by real poverty, suffering and difficulties? How many of our people have outrightly rejected God for the other gods (deities)? Some claim to be serving God while they have sold their soul to the devil for a pot of beans (syncretism). Jesus already said clearly that you cannot serve God and mammon. And no midpoint is admissible. You are either here or there. It is always a choice before us which unfortunately so many people in our generation have already opted for the devil.

A popular writer once wrote that “people kill for love [woman/man] or money.” Whenever we throw away to the gutter all morality, ethics or norms in the quest for money or love; whenever we sell-out or betray a brother or sister because of money or power; whenever we cheat, steal or kill, we have already given in to this temptation, choosing to worship the devil. Lent reminds us about our choices and where our loyalty lies… some didn’t even have to put up a fight with the devil and his proposal; for them it is an easy choice… we don’t want to suffer, we don’t want poverty, give me the money and then my loyalty is yours …

Unfortunately, God hasn’t promised us money, earthly pleasures and worldly kingdoms. He promises us Eternal Life with Him. There is always a real temptation more than ever before in our modern-day society to choose mammon before God…

Watch out for this temptation in your daily decisions…

With confidence we sing with the Psalmist and affirm with Saint Paul: “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble” especially when situations want to make me decide between You and mammon… No one who believes in You will be put to shame; Everyone who calls on Your name shall be saved. Amen.