March 6th, 2022 – “Satan’s Temptation”

Dear all,

March 6 is the first Sunday in Lent, and we find ourselves thinking about all those who find themselves in the wilderness. Our prayer is that those living in Ukraine can see through the present darkness to the light of God shining on the face of Jesus.  

We have begun the season of Lent, the first Sunday of which features the story of Jesus being tested in the wilderness by Satan. One of the temptations was the offer of all the Kingdoms of the world. Jesus could have it all, Satan promises, if only he would fall down and worship him. How was Jesus to be Messiah? How was he to save the world and be its light? Did it have to involve a path that led to the cross in obedience to God? Was there not some other way that might involve bending the knee to Satan, but for the best of causes?  Jesus quotes the Scriptures “‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him” and refuses to compromise with Satan. Putin and the hierarchy of the Russian Church have succumbed. It is hard to believe that there will be many, outside of Russia,  who will still take the notion of “Holy Russia” seriously or see it as an example worth following. The West may indeed be decadent and corrupt, as Putin believes. But the West, shaken and horrified, seems to be rising to the occasion as it humbly seeks to find a solution to the horrible mess that is the war in Ukraine. Our prayers go out to Western leaders and we thank God for all the anonymous helpers in neighbouring countries who are welcoming refugees in God’s name.  

Order of Service