Today’s Gospel, Mark 1:12-15, is only six lines long, yet there is much in it on which we should reflect during this Lenten period, for example, Jesus’ temptation by Satan while he was in “the wilderness” for 40 days.
Our Church teaches us that we must do good and avoid evil at all times – even when no one is looking. In the sixth petition of the Lord’s Prayer we ask God: “…lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Conscience formation is critical if we are to avoid temptation.
It was Martin Luther King Jr who said: “The time is always right to do what is right.” But as the saying goes, the devil is a busy man, and he will always tempt us. Lent offers us an opportunity to ask for God’s grace that we will have the strength and courage to withstand temptation throughout our lives.
Recently there were two stories in the media that highlight how we can be tempted to do evil or avoid evil. On Friday, February 10, Arron Large, a 28 year-old street cleaner in England, found an 18-carat Rolex Oyster Daytona watch while cleaning a drain near Chalkwell Railway Station in Southend, Essex. He consulted a jeweller who told him that the watch was valuable. Its estimated value is about 21,000 pounds sterling. Arron, a Council worker, handed it over to the police.
When interviewed on radio and asked why he did not keep it, he replied: “It was not mine.” A newspaper reporting the story conducted an online poll asking readers: “If you found a 21,000 pounds sterling Rolex watch in the street, would you hand it in?” 43% of the readers said “Yes”, while 57% said “No.” He has since found three more expensive watches. He will be allowed to keep all if the owners do not come forward within 30 days.
On Wednesday, Feb 15 the media reported an incident that took place at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, South Florida, USA. Thirty minutes after passing through security checkpoint at the airport on Jan 18, 43 year-old Gloria de Regalado realised that she had forgotten to retrieve her Rolex watch from the plastic bin at the checkpoint. A video has been released showing a man picking up the watch.
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ABC News reported: “The surveillance video shows the man noticing the watch on his way to collect his belongings after he stepped away to tie his shoes. Instead of notifying TSA officials, he looked around, grabbed the watch, put it in his backpack alongside his laptop and walked off.” Police are investigating the theft.
Ms de Regalado said: “There are good people and there are bad people, and unfortunately, the person behind me in line that day was bad”.
In 1 Corinthians 10-13 we read Paul’s warning and reference to the temptations that the ancient Israelites faced as they journeyed out of Egypt to the Promised Land. He said: “The person who thinks he/she is safe must be careful that he/she does not fall…You can trust God not to let you be tried beyond your strength, and with any trial he will give you a way out of it and the strength to bear it.”
Praying to God to avoid temptation is not enough. We must avoid “inviting” temptation, e.g. finding ourselves in situations in which we know that we may be tempted. As Neal Maxwell said: “If we entertain temptations, soon they will be entertaining us.” Developing a personal relationship with God will help us to combat temptation.
And if we give in to temptation, remember that God is merciful and will forgive us if we go to Him with a repentant heart. Don’t delay. Today’s Gospel reminds us, “…the Kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.”
I end with the sound advice of 15 year-old Emma Olwell, winner of an essay competition on “Temptation and Sin” (www.wf-f.org/03-3-Temptation.html). She wrote: “Temptation is defined by the Catholic encyclopedia as an enticement to sin, by the offer of some good or pleasure…Saint Ignatius’ advice on temptation, which has been reiterated by so many other saints, is to practise the virtue opposite of your temptation. If you are tempted to anger, be meek. If you feel pride, humble yourself. If you are envious, give to others. Don’t assume you can fight temptation on your own. God’s grace is an indispensable part of salvation, and it is important to pray for the strength to fight your weaknesses. Saint Ignatius recommends praying for the courage to resist temptation for the space of one day, one evening, or one hour.”
