The Serpent’s Slogans

This homily for the season of Lent centers on the elemental truth of humanity as both physical and spiritual beings, drawing from the Genesis story of creation and the temptation of Jesus in the desert. It explores the concept of original blessing, God's desire for humans to be fully alive, contrasted with the temptation to become the arbiter of good and evil. This temptation, symbolized by eating from the tree of knowledge, leads to a self-centered existence marked by shame and defensiveness. The parallel is drawn to Jesus's resistance to the devil's temptations—satisfying hunger, seeking safety, and desiring power—by surrendering to God's will. Lent is framed as a return to these spiritual basics, urging listeners to choose obedience over the pursuit of ego-driven desires.