FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

The movie “Cast Away” is a story of solitude that begins when a plane crashes in the ocean and the sole survivor is washed up on an uninhabited island. He learns how to fish and make fire and he finds water in a cave, but the solitude is a different matter. Like Jesus, he is alone in the desert with no resources. But he finds a good listener and a much-needed companion when he paints a face on a volleyball and names it “Wilson,” after the brand name on its side. Eventually he builds a raft, escapes the island and is picked up by a passing ship.
But for Jesus, this is not a movie story with a happy ending. There’s no smiley faced volleyball to talk to, only the sinister encounter with Satan in today’s gospel. Despite his barren predicament, Jesus prevails, and Satan leaves him. Then the angels come to Jesus and wait on him.
Deacon Dick Folger