Temptation

Welcome again dear readers,

            Today we have visited three different historical places: Qumran, the Dead Sea, and the mountain in Jericho at which Jesus was tempted.  However, I will limit this brief reflection on Qumran and the Mount of Temptation.

            Qumran is located west of the Kaliah-Sodom road on the western shore of the Dead Sea.  It is in the Judean wilderness.  In the second century BC, a Jewish sect, the Essenes, separated itself from Jerusalem and went to live at Qumran.  The reason for their departure from Jerusalem was that they wanted to separate themselves from the ‘corrupt’ Temple of Jerusalem.  They thought the Temple had been corrupted by the influence of Hellenistic culture.  At Qumran they lived a life in which they shared everything in common.  They invested time in studying the law and purifying themselves in order to hasten the coming of the Messiah.  We are challenged by the Essenes to read the Scriptures, and to purify ourselves for the second coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

            The Mount of Temptation, like other sights, affected me more than I can explain.  Every one of us seemed to be in a deep reflection in the great silence.  We learned many things at this place.  One of the important themes from this experience is that we can overcome temptations.  We cannot escape from being tempted, but we can always, by the help of Christ, overcome temptations.  In themselves, temptations are not sins, but if we consent to them then we do sin.

            Dear readers, let us give ourselves in service to Jesus Christ.  He is always with us to help us.  If we commit ourselves to Him, we will overcome all temptations.  Let us pray for ourselves and for each other, and for all who most need our prayers.