After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.

–Luke 4.1-2

• Do you get anxious when it comes time to take a test?Is the anxiety about just having to take the test itself or a fear you don’t have the knowledge you need to pass the test?
• There are many times in life where we feel tested by circumstances we can’t control; when was the last time you had to navigate circumstances that were out of your control? How did you handle it?  What might you do differently next time?
• Why do you think the Holy Spirit leads Jesus into a time of temptation?Is it helpful to think that we’re told Jesus was ‘led’ by the Spirit?
• Do you ever think God ‘does’ things to test you? What might your image of God look like if God was less the giver of a test and more someone with you in the midst of times of testing?

So, it’s Lent.  I invite you this year to think of Lent not as much a season for misery and giving up anything you enjoy but as a time to be aware of the ways in which God hasn’t been a part of your life, as well as the ways we generally aren’t attentive to the needs of other people.  Lent, at its best, asks us to see differently and we’re going to see our time in worship and prayer differently this Lent.  Join us Sunday at 6pm for Holy Eucharist and supper, to hear about Jesus’ temptation and find your own opportunity to understand your relationship with God again.  As always, we’ll enjoy a delicious, free supper after the service thanks to our good BSC friend Catherine Cook and her husband Jackson.  I hope to see you on Sunday night.