Iesus non Socialista

Temptation of Jesus

JESUS NOT A SOCIALIST

Amici, Amerciani, Compatriotae,

Today at Mass for the First Sunday of Lent the priest at my parish spoke about the Temptation of the Jesus as recorded in Luke 4:1-13. He brought forth three salient points:

STONES INTO BREAD

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

Jesus isn't a baker. He isn't a socialist who will manipulate you by giving you want you want in exchange for your obedience. He is the Savior of the world and if you voluntarily accept Him as the Bread of Life, then He will save you from your sins.

KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD

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 their 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.’”

Jesus isn't a tyrant who by force will command obedience from you. He is the Savior of the world and if you voluntarily accept Him as the Lord your God, then He will save you from your sins.

BE A SPECTACLE

Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and:‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’”

Jesus isn't an entertainer here to dazzle you with spectacles of delight so that you'll do anything just to see another marvel of wonder. He is the Savior of the world and if you voluntarily accept Him as the Lord your God, then He will save you from your sins.

That's what the world wants today: a socialist tyrant entertainer, an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. And that's not what Jesus gives. Remember this. In John chapter 6 Jesus fed the 5000 with the loaves and fishes. Then He crossed the sea to the other side and crowd followed Him on land. What happened when they finally caught up with Him?

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal.”

No more free handouts. You work for what you get. That's what St. Paul said in 2nd Thessalonians 3:10:

For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: If any one will not work, let him not eat.

Jesus demands personal responsibility and individual accountability. He's the Savior of the world, not your baker, not your tyrant, not your entertainer. So buckle up, repent and get to work for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.