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We don’t know for sure what Jesus actually did while he was in the desert. In biblical times, going to the desert held significant spiritual, symbolic, and practical meanings. Here are some key aspects of its significance. The desert was often a place where individuals were prepared for their destinies. The desert offered solitude, which was conducive to reflection and prayer. John the Baptist like so many others, used this solitude to prepare for his ministry. This period allowed for spiritual growth and purification. The desert environment was harsh and so fostered a sense of dependence on God, emphasizing humility as a prerequisite for spiritual understanding. The desert provided a setting for direct communication with God, free from distractions. We have many examples of Jesus going to a deserted place to pray. This is evident in the stories of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, who all had significant encounters with God in the desert. The Israelites faced numerous challenges during their 40-year journey. This symbolism highlights the desert as a proving ground for faith. Despite its harsh conditions, the desert was where God demonstrated His provision and faithfulness. The Israelites received manna and quail, illustrating God's care for His people especially in the time of hardship. In summary, the desert in biblical times was a place of spiritual transformation, symbolic testing, and practical demonstration of God's presence and provision.

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Jesus is calling his followers to be wise. He gives a few tools on how to be wise. The list is not complete. What is wisdom? Wisdom is correlated with intelligence but its not absolute. I suspect you may know someone who is highly educated but not wise, often making the same mistake over and over again. On the other hand, you may know someone else who may not have all the academic or educational credentials but nevertheless are considered to be wise. Wisdom is often associated with advanced age. It is true, people who have embraced life are often wise. Individuals of any age who have gone through a crisis whether it is health, or relationship or career often reflect a wisdom beyond their years. So, what then is wisdom? I can share a few insights. Wise people have learned from their life experiences, they perceive life events differently. They trust themselves and have little to prove. They are often not in a hurry to bring issues to closure.

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Christians are called to go beyond the bare minimum. Let’s unpack this Gospel, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Tough words. The basic message is Jesus telling the people that your actions should be based on your personal values not a reaction to someone else’s bad behavior. The teaching is a call to freedom. Sure, it hurts when someone mistreats you, this is especially true if that someone was someone you trusted. Yes, they may deserve retribution but its not about them. Yes, they and others may initially think you are weak for not retaliating. They may not see that you are making a choice, its not because you cannot defend yourself. The irony here is you are strong; you are resisting the impact of their injurious behavior.

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The Beatitudes are not merely statements of happiness; they encapsulate profound spiritual truths about God's kingdom and our spiritual development. They highlight qualities such as humility, mercy, and a thirst for righteousness, promising future rewards for those who embody these traits. Consequently, the Beatitudes are foundational teachings outlining the ethical and spiritual framework for Christian spirituality. They can be found in Matthew 5:3-12, with notable differences between Matthew's and Luke's versions—Matthew includes eight Beatitudes while Luke lists only four and includes criticisms of the wealthy.

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The call of Peter and the other disciples illustrates God's invitation for us to follow Him. Despite his initial reluctance and desire to return home after a long night of fishing, Peter allows Jesus into his boat. This kind of openness is crucial for our own spiritual growth.

I want to emphasize the moment when Jesus asks Peter to lower his nets for a catch—this serves as both a literal task and a metaphor for spiritual growth. The saying "80% of success is showing up," attributed to Woody Allen the American filmmaker and actor, encapsulates the importance of taking that first step toward personal or spiritual growth. By showing up despite his doubts, Peter exemplifies the openness necessary for spiritual development. Are we willing to go beyond our comfort zone?

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When Jesus was presented in the temple, it was likely an ordinary event among many similar presentations each week. However, Simeon and Anna's ability to perceive something extraordinary suggests that spirituality often eludes those who do not actively seek it. What insights did they possess that others lacked? This passage prompts us to consider whether God communicates with us through the mundane aspects of our daily lives.

It's noteworthy that neither Anna nor Simeon held any official position within the temple community; they were not leaders or figures of authority. This indicates that anyone—regardless of status—can cultivate a direct relationship with God. The reading challenges those in leadership or theological roles to recognize that the Spirit operates beyond traditional boundaries.

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During Sabbath services, it was customary for males to read from Scripture or the Torah. Jesus reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, which is significant because Isaiah made many prophecies about the Messiah. The Gospel of Matthew speaks about how these prophecies are fulfilled. This reading serves as a blueprint for Jesus’ ministry. Even though Jesus is reading from the prophet Isisia The reading seems to be in Jesus own words. In fact, it appears that Jesus is reading his own mission statement.

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The Gospel today is about the first miracle that Jesus performed. It is unique. There are no healings, or obvious teachings. The teaching is actually rather subtle. Jesus makes wine for a wedding at the request or expectation of his mother. There are a few points that I want to draw your attention to because they are useful teachings about spirituality. The first is the amount of wine made, the six stone water jars contained 20 to 30 gallons each. That is approximately 120 to 360 gallons of wine in total. That is a lot of wine!
I want to draw your attention to the conversation between the groom and the wine steward or in some translations the head waiter. Have you ever had the experience of someone telling you something fairly basic that you already knew? . For example, the groom already knew what the wine steward was trying to explain. The point that I want to make is that while there was nothing actually wrong with what the wine steward said he nevertheless failed to recognize God’s intervention. Do we, like the wine steward, miss God's interventions in our life?