First Sunday in the Midst of Lent (Year C)
Text: Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:1-2)
This past week, Donald Trump delivered a triumphant address to a joint session of Congress. Or at least, to those members who were not ejected for telling the truth or who did not leave the assembly in protest.
As some Democratic lawmakers wore blue and yellow scarves to show support for Ukraine—and his fellow Republicans cheered and applauded his every word—Trump gloated over his recent shameful televised bullying of embattled Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, touted his administration’s actions on border protection, immigration, and drastic budget cuts by the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency. He also repeated his lie that the United States pays subsidies to Canada and to Mexico of “hundreds of billions of dollars,” and reiterated his intentions to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.
Echoing another would-be Antichrist who once promised that his “master race” would rule the world, the current occupant of 666 Pennsylvania Avenue1 asserted his determination to forge the “most advanced, most dynamic and most dominant civilization ever to exist on the face of this Earth.”
This is the same man who has said he will make my country—Canada—into the “51st state” by softening us up for annexation by imposing unreasonable and illegal tariffs designed to cripple our economy and bring Canadians to their knees.
It is noteworthy, I think, that he delivered his message on the eve of the beginning of Lent. The season of Lent, of course, commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
With an estimated 9,831 words, Trump’s address was the longest of any American president in history. He spoke for nearly 100 minutes, displaying his familiar psychopathological sadism as he promised to turn stones into bread for the American people.
He can’t, of course. He thinks he can, because he sincerely believes that all the kingdoms of the world will soon be handed over to him. Perhaps he even imagines himself to be immortal as, beginning his second presidential term at 78 years of age, he openly muses about pursuing a constitutionally-prohibited third one.
Mr. Trump, you should pay heed to the words of the Ash Wednesday liturgy: “Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.”
Do not put the Lord your God to the test. One way or another, every petty despot meets his end. Often in a quite terrible way. Make no mistake about it. Divine justice is a real thing.
That’s worth thinking about through the season of Lent, which lasts until the evening of Holy Saturday (April 19th, this year).
Many observant Christians practice a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as giving up a personal pleasure. To my fellow Canadians, I offer up a Lenten challenge: for the remainder of this season—insofar as it is feasible—give up purchasing American-origin products.2 Even though I realize it’s largely a symbolic gesture (and likely impossible to follow completely) I believe it is a significant one.
Pour that Kentucky bourbon down the sink. Choose cranberry cocktail instead of Florida orange juice. Look for the maple leaf when you purchase groceries, and remember that, while “made in Canada” is good, “product of Canada” is even better.
Especially in my native land, we may be facing a more punishing Lenten fast than we have ever experienced—and a season of privation which will last much longer than 40 days. But remember this:
You can face down the devil. No “prince of this world” has power over our Christ.
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1 Hey, if Trump can rename mountains and seas, surely I can change his address.
2 Here are two helpful websites:
https://cuat.ca/posts/how-canadians-can-boycott-american-products-and-replace-them