5 March 2017
First Sunday of Lent
Temptations
The first reading of Gn 2:7-9, 3:1-7 tells us of how sin came into this world through one man, Adam when he and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, having being fallen into the temptation of the serpent.
The Psalmist sings with sorrow "Be merciful, O Lord for we have sinned".
In the second reading, St Paul (Rom 5:12-19), reassured us that although through one man Adam, sin and death came upon all men; but by the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ, acquittal was given us. " Through one transgression, condemnation came upon all; so through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all. For just through the disobedience of the one man, the many were made sinners; so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous."
In the Gospel of Mt 4: 1-11, Jesus taught us how to overcome temptations; when he himself were tempted after his 40 days retreat in the desert. Knowing that he would be hungry, the devil asked Jesus to turn stones into bread, to which Jesus pointed out: "Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." In the second temptation, when asked to throw himself down from the parapet of the temple to see if the angels would help to support him, Jesus had this to say: " It is written that you shall not put the Lord, your God to the test." Finally the devil told Jesus he could have all the kingdoms of the world with their magnificence if only Jesus would prostrate himself and worship him. To this Jesus said "Get away, Satan! "for it is written that The Lord your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve."
Whenever we are tempted in our daily living, we can recall these temptations of Jesus and rebuke the dark forces with the same words that Jesus used. The devil I'm sure will run miles away!
I repeat that the temptations of jealousy,
desperation, discouragement, distrust, etc,
are works of the devil.
- St. Padre Pio -
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