Lenten Reading

I believe in Jesus,
who rose from the river
to see heaven opened
to the Spirit falling and the Father calling:
"I love you."

I believe in Jesus,
who walked to the desert
to be tried and tempted
with the Spirit leading and the devil calling:
"If you are"

I believe in Jesus
who stayed 40 days there
as he prayed and fasted
with his guts hurting and his breath smelling
"Turn these stones"

I believe in Jesus
who went with the devil
to be offered power
with the wild beasts roaring and the angels chanting
"Worship God"

I believe in Jesus
who looked down upon the city,
with a fear of falling
with the angels watching and the hard earth waiting
"It is written"

I believe in Jesus
truly God, truly human,
who was sorely tempted
with the same temptations we all are facing
"Yet without sin."

written by Doug Gay