Christ in the Wilderness
Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoĭ, 1872

My dear friends,

The "eight worldly concerns", as defined in Buddhism, are the four things we desire - wealth, comfort, praise, and fame - and the four things we fear - poverty, discomfort, criticism, and obscurity. These concerns can be powerful obstacles to our pursuit of inner peace and spiritual growth, drawing our attention away from the things that truly matter in life.

In Matthew 4:1-11, we see Jesus confronted with each of these concerns in turn. The devil offers him bread to satisfy his physical hunger, fame to satisfy his desire for recognition, and power to satisfy his desire for control. And yet, through each temptation, Jesus remains steadfast in his commitment to God, reminding us that the things of this world are temporary, and that our true treasure lies in our connection with the divine.

As we reflect on Jesus' resistance to the eight worldly concerns, let us consider the ways in which we ourselves may be vulnerable to these concerns in our own lives. We may find ourselves driven by a desire for material possessions, recognition, or power, or driven by fear of poverty, discomfort, or criticism. And yet, in each case, we are reminded that true happiness and fulfillment come not from the things of this world, but from our connection with God and our commitment to living a life of humility and compassion.

As we continue our journey through this season of Lent, let us take inspiration from Jesus' example, and strive to resist the lure of the eight worldly concerns in our own lives. Let us focus on our connection with God, and on the pursuit of inner peace and spiritual growth. And let us be grateful for the gift of this life, recognizing that the things of this world are temporary, but the love of God endures forever.

May we all be blessed on our spiritual journey, and may we find joy and fulfillment in the pursuit of a life lived in service of the divine.