The Gospel reading for the First Sunday of Lent each year recounts Jesus’ encounter with Satan in the desert during His 40 days of fasting. In the Gospel of St. Matthew (Cycle A) which we read this year (see Mt. 4: 1-11), there is an active dialogue between Jesus and Satan. Jesus is tempted by Satan on various levels: to turn stones to bread, to throw Himself down from the parapet of the temple and to prostrate Himself and worship Satan. He does none of the above.
Jesus shows all of us how to resist our own temptations when we encounter them. Satan and his demons will pursue each of us throughout our lives as St. Peter reminds us:
Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. (1 Peter 5: 8-9)
Do you believe Satan and his demons are real? I took the time last week to re-watch the 2023 film Nefarious. In my opinion, it is worth your time. The dialogue in the film reminded me of the type of dialogue you also find in A Man for All Seasons, the award-winning play and movie about the life and death of St. Thomas More.
The film Nefarious primarily revolves around two main characters: Edward Wayne Brady who is condemned to die by the electric chair and Dr. James Martin, a psychiatrist sent to evaluate his sanity before his execution. The condemned man claims to be possessed by a demon named Nefarious and the film explores the encounter between the doctor who reveals that he is an atheist and the condemned inmate.
Without spoiling the entire story, the film’s dialogue covers serious topics including euthanasia/assisted suicide, abortion and capital punishment. The subtle, diabolic manner in which the demon works in the film is a brilliant study in all things demonic.
At one point in the film a priest is called in to visit the inmate. Portrayed as a hippie-type wearing a rainbow stole, the priest doubts the concept of demonic possession and attempts to rationalize the demonic away. The supposedly-possessed inmate has no time for such an enlightened priest, realizing that he is a fool and sends him on his way without any need of his spiritual assistance.
I am not like the priest portrayed in this file. I believe Satan and his demons are real and they constantly work to cause havoc throughout our world. Jesus absolutely knew that Satan is real–He initially created him as a good angel–and He shows us how to deal with him and the other fallen demons and the temptations that they offer us.
During this Lent, actively resist the temptations of the devil by serious prayer, fasting and almsgiving. As the Sacred Scriptures relate, these are the recommended practices for our penitential season of Lent. Remember, temptations are not sins unless we give into them.
Resist the devil and he will take flight!
Fr. Ed Namiotka
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