GOD SAID…: END OF!

Having commenced our Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday, our attention is drawn to the

need to equip ourselves with the word of God as a mighty help in the face of the assaults of the

devil. The Scripture describes him in these words: ‘Now the serpent was more crafty than any

other beast of the field that the LORD GOD had made’ (cf Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7). We must be

mindful of the voice we listen to. Temptations must come our way. Without them, we may

never know how much we depend on God, on his grace, for victory in our spiritual life and

growth. Temptations locating a child of God is not the same thing as putting oneself in harm’s

way, exposing our nature already weakened by Original sin to the tempter, the ancient enemy.

Beloved People of God, one does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes forth

from the mouth of God. It must be, ‘God said…’ End of! Anything on the contrary comes from

the Evil One. We search the Scriptures for words that help us to align our will to God’s will.

We read his word as help to fine-tune our desires to what God wants for us. Anyone who wants

a logic to go against what God wants will find it. It will be a poor logic though; for weighed in

the scale of truth, that is God’s wisdom, such logic will be found wanting, no matter how

compelling it appears to the finite human mind. We must be wary of paying attention or

listening to the known enemy especially when such action will amount to doubting the Good,

the Truth, the Way, the Beauty, the Love that is God.

As we journey alone with none but God, in line with the ‘Collect’, ‘…through the yearly

observances of holy Lent, may we continue to grow in understanding of the riches hidden in

Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects. Amen.

Fr. Ted

22nd February 2026

First Sunday in Lent