The tempter approached and said to [Jesus],
“If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:3

There are so many people and voices that try to influence me. Some are attractive but seductive. They tempt me to reject my true nature of goodness and love.

I am learning to compare what I hear and see with what Jesus teaches me, and to choose the way of the Lord: to follow God’s will of love and compassion, to find concrete ways to support the hungry, the lonely, the homeless, and those who are being treated inhumanely—and to eliminate indifference, harmful speech, and injustice in my interactions with others.

Today I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me resist the temptation to go my own way. I will ask for the grace to align my mind, heart, and will with God’s, that I may be a kind, merciful, welcoming, and generous presence to all people.