I LOOK AT LIFE FROM BOTH SIDES NOW

"Today is the first Sunday of Lent, the Sunday when we hear about Jesus being tempted by the Devil"

O, well done you, you clever old thing, you've got it spot on. We will indeed be hearing Matthew's account of Jesus being tempted by Satan, just as we always do on the first Sunday of Lent. So OK you're right, but at the same time don't start boasting about how clever you are because you're really only HALF right. 

"HALF right."? Yes because the first two Sundays of Lent work together; they're a partnership. Concentrate on one to the exclusion of the other and your Lent is limping from the start, one foot on the kerb and the other in the gutter. If someone persuades you to think of this first Sunday of Lent as being all about temptation and the possibility of sin, believe me you can do better than that; much better. The likelihood is they're out to make you feel appropriately guilty  and keen to do penance for your wrongs, but listen.


This Sunday's Gospel has a partner in next Sunday's Gospel; Temptations today, Transfiguration next Sunday. A working relationship that gets your Lent off to a healthy positive start. A time to repent of your sins, for sure, but a time also to recognise the warm glow of God's presence in your life.

Once again, pop songs can help, mostly I suppose because those who wrote the words of the songs kept their eye on life as it actually is whereas in our church preaching we seem to be more concerned with making the dogma look good, even helpful.


You remember Joni Mitchell don't you and that catchy song, "Both Sides, Now" ? Of course you do. The  song works its way through clouds and love to life itself, admitting each time that we've contented ourselves with illusions more than reality. (It's clouds illusions I recall, I really don't know clouds at all") But she's learned her lesson and looks at things from "both sides now".

These first two Sundays of Lent are like that. Taken in isolation from each other, they're not nearly so helpful as when we keep them in tandem. And if you want a song to la la la you through Lent you wont do better than Joni and looking at life from both sides. Go for it people, Easter deserves no less.