RESISTING TEMPTATION AS WE RETREAT BACK TO GOD
Reflection for First Sunday of Lent ,YEAR C by Rev.Fr. Theodore Martinos.
We have begun 40days of our Lenten Journey where we need to return back to God! A time to Undergo Spiritual Purification.
This Period of Lent the Lord is Searching for our Soul! Even in this seaech, the Lord will not find some persons because of Our resistance, but the God who Created Us will not Force you without your Consent..He has given us the gift of Freedom and Privilege of Choice between ‘Light’ and ‘Darkness’. You Cannot Sit on the Fence nor serve two Masters (God & the Devil).
In this 40day Period of Lent, 40 is Symbolic in the Bible signifying a period of Spiritual Purification and Cleansing. Here are some Bible References:
> Jesus Fasted in the Wilderness for 40 DAYS! – After Resisting temptation he came out Victorious!(Luke 4: 1-13)
> The Israelites Sojourn for 40 years enroute Canaan after disobeying God(Numbers 13)
> In the Creation story, Noah spent 40 days in the ark – This was because God wanted to Cleanse the Filth in the Land with Water(Flood)(Genesis 7)
> Elijah made a journey to mount Horeb for 40 DAYS! and Came back Different person!(1 kings 19)
> Moses went up to the mountain for 40 DAYS(Exodus 19)
, When he came down, he was transformed to a different person!
After this 40Days of Lent, there have to be a transformation in your Life!
In the First Reading of today, Moses stood before the people and told them when they make their harvest they should set it before God’s altar and Cry out ‘ A wandering Araemean was my father; and he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number and there he became a Nation, great , mighty and Populous. And the Egyptians treated us harshly, and afflicted Us, and laid upon us hard bondage. Then we cried to the Lord the God of our Fathers and the Lord heard our voice, and saw our affliction, our toil , and our oppression; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm with great terror and an out stretched arm, with great terror, with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and Honey“.(Deuteronomy 26:4-10)
This illustrates how ‘we’ should return back to God and Bring our filth for Cleansing (Through the sacrament of Reconciliation – Confession).
One Common setback in the journey of Retreating back to God is SIN and TEMPTATION. In today’s Gospel Reading (Luke 4:1-13) Jesus was tempted three times! Every Sin we commit is MISMANAGED TEMPTATION! As St Augustine would say – How can you Say you are victorious when there’s competitor/contender❓
The devil started with something we all are desirous of – Food saying “If you’re the Son of God, command this stone to be bread” but Jesus answered “It is written, ” Man shall not live by bread alone”. Added to that temptation is a challenge, the devil challenges his title – ‘If you’re the son of God’. Today, the devil, especially in our moments of Delay, suffering, in hard times, the devil ask’s us -You say you are the Son/Daughter of God, you say you’re a Catholic, etc. When such moments come, use the words of the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 91) – “Be with me, O Lord, when I’m in distress”.
The first temptation urges us during this period to be Careful about the Pleasures of the flesh, gluttony, Exaggerated care of the body, cosmerism, Inordinate attention for fashion, adultery, Formication, etc.
The Devil went Further presenting the things of this world to Jesus promising to hand them over to Jesus if he’ll worship him!
The Devil knows we love Pride, ego, Superiority, money and the pleasures of life. He’ll give you what you want to eat in exchange for your soul!
What ‘Molten calf’ do you have and you’re worshipping Unknowingly❓
DO NOT EVER SELL YOUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL!
In the Devil’s Final attempt at Jesus he takes him to Jerusalem (Where he eventually died for our sins on the cross) and set him on the Pinnacle – The Pinnacle signifies a place where God dwells, a place of holiness. (Every temptation is tailored to your Spiritual formation, academic and economic Prowess.)
The devil says to Jesus-” If you’re the son of God throw yourself down from here(Top of the pinnacle); for it’s written, ‘He will give you his angels charge of you to guard you’ but Jesus answered- “It is said, you shall NOT tempt the Lord your God”.
The Only way out of temptation is THE WORD OF GOD❕
Are you Reading the Bible❓
Do not Ever Dialogue with the devil ,trying to see reasons with the devil Convincing your self you’re right while committing a particular sin is Dangerous because the devil will always win you over! Equip yourself and be Armed with the Word of God to resist temptations by Constantly reading the Bible especially during this period the Parish recommends Bible passages everyday in an attempt to Read and Draw to heart the Word of God. May God give us the grace to resist temptation during this season of Lent and Come back to him, through Christ our Lord, Amen✝