Dear Parishioners,
In today’s Gospel (Mt. 4: 1-11) we see Jesus tempted by the devil. I think the example of this series of temptations
is a most valuable instruction for anyone desiring to take Lent seriously. Obviously the Church does as well, since the
first Sunday of each Lent begins by recalling these temptations.
First, we see that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the
desert. Why would the Spirit lead Jesus into the desert? The desert is an austere place where a person
must confront many harsh realities: severe weather, lack of comfortable
amenities, silence and danger, as a start.
When we are deprived of creature comforts, remove noisy distractions, and must face
harsh realities, we can and should begin to realize the complete dependence
that we have on Almighty God. We are put
in a situation where the desert and its silence can become the place where we
hear the voice of God more clearly and powerfully. And that is where Satan often begins to interfere
as well.
Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. Not only was he in the desert, but he also
took on bodily penance. He was hungry. Why deprive ourselves of anything? If we live
only for this world, then self-sacrifice, mortification, and penance seem ridiculous. However, denying oneself (and picking
up the cross) was given as a condition for discipleship by Jesus (See Mt. 16:24). Discipline and self-sacrifice
strengthen a person both physically and spiritually. A person becomes more prepared to live out
the sacrificial love Jesus most perfectly demonstrated by His death on the
cross.
Why, then, when we are trying to do something spiritually
beneficial, do temptations arise? Let’s
face this harsh reality head on: Satan and
his followers hate anyone trying to serve the Lord and grow closer to Him. They will put any possible obstacle in our
way to prevent this from happening. We
may be tempted to physical, earthly pleasure (food, drink, sex, drugs, and
anything that makes us feel good or gives us a temporary “high”) instead of the eternal,
spiritual satisfaction that comes from the love of Almighty God. Basically, it is hedonism to one degree or another. Command that these stones become loaves of
bread.
We can be tempted by our ego.
Whenever we are proud (in the sense of hubris), boastful, unwilling
to seek help (when needed), arrogant, or overconfident in our own ability or
skills, we can ascend that parapet where we think that we do not need
God. Or worse yet, we think that we are god. No one can tell me what to do. I know best. I will not serve. This type of thinking (egoism) is represented
in Jesus’ second temptation.
Finally, temptation can take the form of wealth or earthly
goods. Material possessions become the
reason for my existence. My home, my
car, my vacation(s), my boat, my bank account, my jewelry, etc. become my god. I think more things will make me
happy. All the kingdoms of the world
. . . I shall give you. At what price? This was the third temptation in the desert
(materialism).
Remember, temptation is not sin. In his humanity, Jesus resisted these temptations
and did not sin. He faced Satan head on and
rejected his false allurements. Jesus
showed us that when we focus and direct our actions completely on the love of God, then we have the
ability to do the same. The Lord,
your God, shall you worship and Him alone shall you serve.
Go into the desert this Lent.
Face your demons. It is there
where they can be confronted and conquered.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor