We usually hear about Jesus tempted in the desert at Lent. This conversation places it in the context of the season of thanksgiving. We know the story: Jesus, filled with the Spirit, is led into the desert, fasts for forty days and nights and undergoes three temptations from the devil. These are basic things we humans desire: food, power, self-possession. When we are at our most vulnerable an urge comes to stray away from what we know to be true into the illusion of truth. When we are brought to the test, we learn from Jesus that being firmly connected to God will keep our minds and hearts in the right place to see through the lies. It is a great gift to have our faith challenged and to know if we live our lives in the presence of God we will stand firm. For this we give thanks.