Many people watch the
Super Bowl for the game. A good game! But,
just as many watch it for the ads. My favorite one this year was the Dorito’s
ad. In the ad, an expectant mother, undergoing an ultrasound, is annoyed by her
husband who is absentmindedly munching Doritos while their baby’s image is
displayed on the screen. But as the father moves the chip, the baby in the
mother moves with it; and when the mother throws the chip across the room,
well, the baby decides this is the moment to be born.
As a side note – a group
complained that the commercial dangerously “humanized” the fetus. Oh boy, come
on. It’s a baby!
That ad – and all the
others – have to do with temptation. Come on – buy this product. You need this.
You want to be like every one else, right? You can’t live without it. You won’t
be happy unless you own this, you wear this, you eat this.
Sounds like Jesus first
temptation:
Command these stones to
turn into bread. What’s wrong with bread, with food? Temptation to make all these pleasures the
basis of life. Called consumers – we can
be consumed by them. Endless days in
front of the TV. Hour upon hour on the internet and social media. Why
Jesus fasts and we are invited to fast during Lent. Purpose is to know what is most important. Set priorities straight!
Second temptation
I will give you all these
kingdoms if you worship me. Again, power and glory are not bad things in
themselves. But what is very first
commandment? worship God alone. Use
power and glory for the good. So many of
us have power: at work, in school, in
families. How do we use our power? For our glory or for the glory of God? At Last Supper, Jesus knelt down and washed
the feet of His disciples – power for service!
Corporal and spiritual works of
mercy.
Third temptation
Throw yourself down from
the temple. His angels will guard and protect you. Taking advantage of God’s
love. Presumption. I can sin and God will still love me. Yes. I can keep sinning and God will still
forgive me. Yes. But try that in any relationship. You will destroy it. Our sins will destroy us.
There are 2 lies that
Satan wants us to believe:
Just once won’t hurt
Now that you have ruined
your life, you are beyond God’s use, so you might as well enjoy sinning.
