Temptation
Lent is a time for us to reflect that Jesus Christ is, “the true light that enlightens everyone" (Jn 1:9), and we are "children of light" (Eph 5:8), and need to grow in holiness by "obedience to the truth" (1 Pet 1:22).
This obedience is not easy. Because of Satan and the original sin that was committed by our first parents, Adam and Eve in the garden, we are constantly tempted to turn away from God. Because of original sin, our ability to know the truth is darkened and our will is weakened.
This fallen state makes us inclined to sin and to distant ourselves from God. However, Lent provides us with an opportunity to combat these tendencies by drawing closer to Jesus Christ. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we can draw closer to God and resist the temptations that seek to lead us away from God. By reading scripture (the Word of God) and relying on the power of God’s grace, we can overcome the trials we face and grow in holiness.
We have all seen the image of someone faced with a decision, we see a devil on one shoulder coaxing the person toward evil and an angel on the other shoulder encourages the person toward good. In the Garden of Eden, Eve was the first to listen to Satan and the results were disastrous. In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus is in a desert – the “opposite” of a garden, where he confronts the devil. But Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, does not respond with human wisdom. Jesus does not consider Satan’s proposals in his heart. Jesus rejects the temptations at once and relies on the power of the Word of God to put the devil in his place.
The Lenten season is meant to be a “desert” in which we confront temptation. It is not a self-improvement program; it is an opportunity to reject sin, the habits and attitudes that keep distancing us from God and to grow in virtue and good habits that will keep us united with God.
This weekend’s Gospel reminds us that we do not go into the desert alone. Jesus entered first to show us that he would be with us every time we are tempted. If we turn our backs to Satan and stay close to Jesus (in prayer and by frequenting the sacraments) and immerse ourselves in the Word of God (by reading Scripture), we will draw our strength from God. We will be victorious because, as St. Paul reminds us, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” and, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Don’t be afraid to be generous with God. Remember the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
- Could you pray more to your life?
- Pray for 10 minutes every day
- Pray a daily Rosary,
- Attend adoration or Stations of the Cross.
- Could you incorporate some self-denial?
- Give up coffee, alcohol, Facebook, YouTube, Video Games, or movies, dessert or sweets.
- Could you be more generous?
- Give a donation instead of buying something for yourself.
- Visit someone that is homebound,
- Smile more and help someone,
- Be more patient in traffic.
Offer these things to God and ask Him to bless your efforts to grow in virtue out of love for Him.