By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“Lent is the path of the people of God toward Easter, a path of conversion, of fighting evil with the weapons of prayer, fasting and works of charity.” (Pope Francis)
Today, the first Sunday of Lent, we focus in the gospel on the devil’s temptation of Jesus during His 40 days and nights in the desert (Matt 4:1–11). The devil tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread, to cast Himself off the temple, and to worship him.
The temptation comes shortly after Jesus was baptised by John in the river Jordan and the Holy Spirit “led him out into to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil“.
Our baptism alone does not insulate us from temptation. Temptation is all around us.
My mother had a real Trini way of instructing us, her children, about how we should avoid entering into temptation. I can still hear her bellowing as she taught us to say: “Get behind me Satan!”. She used to remind us that the devil is “a busy man” and will always try to lure us to think, say and do things that are not in keeping with our Catholic faith.
Although I still say these words today when temptation comes my way, I know that I need more than words to protect myself from the many snares of the devil. 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.
We can only insulate ourselves from temptation by doing as the Holy Father says above, and fight evil “with the weapons of prayer, fasting and works of charity”.
God does not want us to fall into temptation. He only wants the best for us.
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Let’s reflect at this time on all the things that keep us from living out our baptismal promises fully, from living in obedience to God’s precepts.
I am sure that you will agree with me that conscience formation is also critical if we are to avoid temptation. Para 1776 of our Catechism tells us that: “Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment…. His conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths” (Gaudium et Spes).
Practise the virtue opposite your temptation
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 US scholar and religious leader 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.
Fifteen year-old Emma Olwell, who won an essay competition on ‘Temptation and Sin’ in 2003, wrote: “…temptation can lead to sin—or to a stronger faith… Temptation is defined by the Catholic encyclopaedia 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.”
