1st Sunday of Lent, Year C - The Temptation in the Desert

The Mass of the first Sunday of Lent traditionally features the Gospel reading of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. This year we hear Luke’s account (4:1-13), which is rich in details of this encounter between the Son of God and the evil one. As we begin the discipline of Lent we may be tempted to give up the penances or sacrifices we have started. Much temptation is a product of our weak human nature. Some, though, is the result of demonic powers trying to keep us from growing closer to God. For our human frailty we need to develop a spirit of discipline and self-control. But for demonic influences we must remember what St. Paul tells us; “our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). Therefore we need to use the spiritual weapons that we have been given; prayer, fasting, alms giving, Confession and the Eucharist. If we feel tempted, then we know it is time to pray, relying on the power of God to strengthen us.

If we look at Sunday's Gospel reading we see that the devil tries to tempt us in very basic ways. He tried to tempt Jesus with bread while he was hungry. The bread can represent any sensual pleasure or bodily comfort. While these things aren’t bad, when they become the center of our lives they take us away from God, the only one who can give us lasting satisfaction. Then he tried to tempt Jesus by offering him power over the world. Then he tries to tempt our Lord by appealing to his pride or thirst for glory, because he has command over the angels. But Jesus rejects all three temptations.

There are other ways the devil tries to lead us off the right path. The devil tries to divide people and communities into factions, causing rivalries and dissention. The word demon, in fact, comes from the Greek word meaning to tear apart. He also tries to convince us that he doesn’t really exist, or isn’t really active in the world. The greatest temptation that the enemy uses is to convince us that God will not forgive our sins. If he can convince us of that then we may despair and don’t return to our loving, merciful Savior who is eager to embrace us.

We should not be tricked by any of the enemy’s deceptions. While it is true that not all temptation comes directly from the evil one, we should know that the devil does exist, and is functioning in the world. But we should always remember that Satan isn’t stronger than God. The difference between the power of God and the power of darkness is infinite. We should never despair of God’s mercy. We should always rely on Him and the spiritual weapons of prayer, fasting, alms giving, Confession and the Eucharist. With Jesus we should never be afraid.