Issue 36 February 2026

From the pulpit

Suffering with Christ

Fr Michael · The temptation in the wilderness, Matthew 4

The cover page of this issue wasn't among the newsletter pages we have, so this page starts with the sermon.

After His baptism, our Lord Jesus Christ sought solitude with His Father. He went up the mountain and fasted for forty days.

Yet even in that sacred quiet, the devil came to tempt Him. As St Matthew records in his Gospel, only the final three temptations are written, though the struggle endured throughout those forty days.

Why was He tempted?

Why did our Lord allow Himself to be tempted?

First, to show us that temptation is part of the human journey. No one is exempt. Whenever we are tempted, we can say: Christ was tempted before me.

The first man to be tempted was Adam. Though created in the image of God, he fell at the first strike through disobedience. Adam was not hungry, yet he succumbed. Our Lord, after forty days of fasting, was hungry, yet He did not fall. Where Adam failed, Christ triumphed. He came to restore the image that was lost and to strengthen our weakened human nature.

The Lord refused to use His divinity for His own comfort. Though He could turn stones into bread (we know He had the capacity to multiply five loaves and two fish to feed thousands) He would not use His power selfishly. His principle was clear: He would not reduce His divinity to serve His humanity. He used His power to heal, to teach and to save. He never used it for Himself.

Three paths

The devil tempts through three paths: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

With the bread he was trying to tempt the lust of the flesh, but the Lord conquered him.

Next he said, "Throw Yourself down," and God will save You. Jesus answered, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."

The Lord does not want glory from people. He never sought vain glory. He exemplified humility so we too would seek it.

Standing on the Word

Each time the devil attempted to tempt Him, Christ answered with the Word of God. He did not argue; He stood firmly on Scripture.

He teaches us that victory over temptation does not come from our strength, but from reliance on God's Word and grace. We cannot overcome the devil alone, but through Christ we are victorious.

In baptism, we renounce Satan and accept Christ. Lent renews this commitment. It reminds us that life is not about bread alone, but about every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

We will all be tempted. But through Christ, we are given the power to endure, to resist, and ultimately, to overcome.

Parish life

Father and son retreat recap

Last weekend St John's held its first father and son camping trip at St Shenouda's Monastery. We sat down with one of the dads to talk through some of the highlights.

What activities did you get up to?

The camping trip was packed with meaningful and simple activities that made it truly special. We started by setting up our tents together, preparing our own breakfast and dinner, and learning to work as a team. We went on walks through open greenery, visited the monks and had conversations with them, and even looked at the pigeons and chickens on site.

At night, we had a bonfire, wore our headlights in the dark, and spent time talking inside the tent. One of the most memorable moments was hearing the monastery bell ring at 4am: such a peaceful and grounding experience. The kids were able to run freely in the safe, open space, which made it even more enjoyable for everyone.

How did it feel to share these memories with your son?

It was honestly priceless. In today's busy world, uninterrupted time like this is rare. Being able to disconnect from distractions and simply be present with my son (talking in the tent at night, walking together, sharing meals we prepared ourselves) was incredibly special.

He hasn't stopped talking about the trip. He keeps asking when we're going back and even said he wants to stay longer next time. As a father, that says everything. These are the kinds of memories our boys will carry with them for life.

What would you say to people who missed out?

I would genuinely encourage every dad to make the effort to attend next time. It's more than just a camping trip: it's bonding, mentoring, faith, friendship and quality time rolled into one.

We also had the chance to connect with other dads and build friendships in a relaxed environment. It reminded us how important it is to slow down and invest in our children intentionally.

If you missed this one, don't miss the next. It's truly one of the best experiences you can share with your son.

Notices

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