I hope that this week has shown that we should not view temptations through a myopic lens, seeing them as only evil. We are also tempted to do good, to be joyful, to be creative, to live meaningful lives, to serve, to love, to bring light into the world. For example, Francis of Assisi abhorred the sight of lepers, whose decaying bodies would make him physically sick and cause him to run in the opposite direction. But one day when he encountered a leper, Francis experienced Christ bidding him, or better yet, tempting him, to love the leper and to bind his wounds. Francis gave in to this holy temptation, and it changed his life forever, empowering him to see God’s presence in all of creation. God is always tempting us: to pray, to meditate, to love, to be courageous, to celebrate, to serve, even to laugh. Today, pay attention to God’s temptations; don’t fear them. Rather, surrender to them!
Beloved Guruji,
Help me to pay attention
To my temptations
So that I may learn
About myself and you.
Necessary Temptations
