First
Sunday of Lent
“He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and
are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness” (hebrews 5:2)
"Ignorance of
the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."- St. Jerome
The Reality and Pain of Temptation:
Temptation
in our life is real, arises from our fallen nature, our weakness and from evil.
And also when we reflect, it’s a heavy burden and results in emotional and
spiritual pain. When we yield to
temptations, there is certainly pain that hurts us deep down in our hearts.
It’s
a reality experienced by each of us, therefore we can say it’s inevitable. it’s an attempt to draw us away from the
relationship of God, and from the relationship with others. It’s an attempt to
change our focus from God to something unwanted. It’s not the same as sin, but
it can lead to sin and then resulting consequences.
It’s
an opportunity to assess our spiritual condition and spiritual commitment to
God and to the purpose of our life. It’s an opportunity to make necessary
amendments and be equipped with the weapons to fight off the occasions of sin.
Therefore as the saying goes, “ it’s easier to bend a plant than a tree”. Hence
we need to fight/defend in the beginning itself, it’s like a battle if we don't
fight, we give in, surrender and become slaves.
It’s
indeed painful and suffering, we read in Hebrews “for because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those
who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). Jesus himself experienced this pain,
suffered and experienced it several occasions. However he did not yield; rather
he won against the allurements and tricks of Satan's temptations. That’s why he
can help us today, to bear this pain and to defend ourselves from all the wiles
of the satan.
Some Biblical examples
❖
Eve was tempted,
succumbed to the tempter
❖
King David was tempted,
yielded to temptation of pleasure and in taking the census of Israel.
❖
Ananias and Sapphira -
tempted for money - fell for it Acts
5:1–3
Joseph in the old testament was tempted
for sexual bait, but did not give in (Gen 39:6-23)
Job was tempted by taking everything away
from him Job 1:6-12
Jesus was tempted, but overcame the
satan’s tricks
Temptations
can come in many forms and from various sources, it can be from our own family,
friends and hearts. Satan can make use of anything to tempt us and fall. Satan prowls like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)
Ist reading :
We
read the fall of Adam and Eve, the story is familiar to us. God formed human
beings and gave them freedom. The narration of the temptation takes place in casual conversation. Once Eve started to respond, she was tempted to doubt
God’s words and command. Then with the pretext of helping with sugar
coated words created an interest and desire
towards fruit. And also invented false promises,
that they would be elevated to the status of
God. This false promise replaced and overshadowed God and others. This
boosted their ego in other words, Pride took over and
poisoned them.
They
yielded to that temptation and broke the relationship with God
Note: A casual conversation can lead us into
doubts, create interests and desire and make false promises and poison oneself
with pride and prejudice. ( Social
Media, friends or neighbours who are jealous of others goodness)
Gospel
In
the Gospel we find Jesus was preparing for active ministry and ultimately death
and now we are preparing these 40 days to receive the light of life, Easter
with our spiritual exercises and self
discipline and acts of charity. So it is
good to reflect and understand how to defend ourselves from all these attacks
of temptation.
After
40 days of fasting and praying, Jesus from the point of human nature he looks
vulnerable and weak. So the devil finds it an opportunity to strike him and
turn him against his mission. But Jesus, though tired, was prompt to
counterattack and defeat.
The Three Temptations:
The
Three temptations - Physical, Spiritual
and Psychological
These
temptations were those of bread, power,
and worldly recognition.
The first temptation is related to flesh,
physical, after the fasting for 40 days Jesus was
naturally hungry, so the devil finds it perfect time, perfect beginning to
attack.
It
is said “If You are the Son of God,
command that these stones become bread.” but Jesus responded with a quote
from scripture “One does not live by
bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deut. 8:3).
And in the Gospel of John Jesus said “my food is to do the will of the Father”.
He is very much aware that even in his severe hunger and weakness, to do the
will of the father, is to fulfil the word of God. Although Satan tried to create interest in fulfilling his physical
needs, He withstood the physical temptation.
The
Second Temptation: is related to Spirituality, the
40 days of Spiritual discipline and practices are meant to have
communion with God, not meant to selfish motives. It is said “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself
down” and he responds with “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”.(Deut
6:16) here in this context God instructs to follow commandments and not to
disobey and test Him. Satan again tries to tempt Jesus to test God, to doubt
God. and was prompting Jesus to test and
manipulate God and to also test his identity. But Jesus did not waver in his
trust. He trusted God completely and
submitted to him.
The Third
Temptation: is related to Psychological, satan tried to test physically,
spiritually and now is touching the person’s ego, the Pride. The temptation is
very open, fall at meet and I will show you a shortcut to accomplish your
mission, to establish the kingdom of God. and also the beauty of the world
which is pleasing to the eyes. It is
said “All these things I will give You if
You will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Worship the Lord your
God, and serve only him” (Luke 4:8). “Away with you, Satan! For it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him”.(Deut 6:13). The intention of Satan was to make a
political messiah, for whom the people were expecting. thus offered all the
power, glory and authority. And also accomplish the mission before the
appointed time set by Father. Well, he
rejected and took pride only doing the will of the Father and in serving not
being served.
Note : The devil starts from physical
vulnerability, to spiritual uncertainty to psychological gratification.
2nd Reading
St.
Paul in the second reading with regard to temptation explains the difference by
comparing Jesus, the new Adam with the Old Adam. Through first Adam came sin,
suffering and death but with second Adam Jesus came grace, life and salvation. The first Adam was
tempted and fell for it. But though Jesus was tempted , he did not fall. He
overcame the temptations.
Jesus
was tempted the same way as Adam and Eve but He overcame the temptations. We
too can experience physically, spiritually, and psychologically. But Jesus
shows us the way to overcome all the temptations. For every temptation
he responded with the word of God,
he continued to keep his trust in Father,
and he responded with spiritual power.
Though
Jesus suffered the pain of temptation, he became stronger and prepared for his
ministry. By rejecting the false promises and driving away the satan he made
his intentions very clear that he is not here just to provide material goods,
to win popularity by his power nor he is here for political power.
Therefore it is an invitation for all of
us to learn the word of God, to pray for the Spirit and to trust him always.
Then only we become stronger in our
faith and prepared for our responsibilities.
Note: A casual conversation can lead us into
doubts, create interests and desire and make false promises and poison oneself
with pride and prejudice. ( Social
Media, friends or neighbours who are jealous of others goodness)
Note : The devil starts from physical
vulnerability, to spiritual uncertainty to psychological gratification.
If you carry your Bible, the Bible carries you
The Word of God is living and active
The word of God is Powerful
FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD
