Ascension : News From St. Mary's
Submitted by The Islander (Clive & Jenny Duncan) 17.02.2005 (Article Archived on 03.03.2005)

It is good to be back on Ascension Island again after spending a couple of weeks in the United Kingdom.

Sunday 20 February 2005

10.30 am MASS

ALL ARE WELCOME

VICAR: REV. CANON CLIVE DUNCAN, MBE.     6431

CHURCHWARDEN: CHERYL ANTHONY, MBE.  6147

CHURCHWARDEN: JONATHAN GREEN.             6795

It is good to be back on Ascension Island again after spending a couple of weeks in the United Kingdom. My thoughts were with Padre John when we had one day's sunshine knowing that he was lapping up the sunshine here.  I am indeed most grateful to him for his ministry in the Parish, one never knows perhaps he might return one day with his family and meet up with old friends again.

Last Sunday was the First Sunday of Lent.  The Gospel appointed for the day came from St. Matthew (4.1-11) which was about the temptation of Jesus.

Jesus being human like us, was exposed to the same sort of temptations that we have to face.  We may not be the Son of God, but we are equally tempted, bearing in mind that we are surrounded by temptations, to misuse our power,  to be proud, or to choose the easy way rather that God's will. The very fact that Satan could tempt him to do these things tells us something about Jesus' power.

The way that Jesus has responded to these temptations will help us to deal with our temptations.  He has shown us how to deal with these attacks by simply choosing what he knew to be God's will.  When Jesus quoted the Scriptures to the devil, he is also telling us where we can find God's will and our defence.

With Love and Prayers.

Canon Clive