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1st Sunday of Lent, Cycle A
Mercy Ridge Hermitage
March 1, 2020
Universal Paths into Sin
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The Temptation to Sin
So, Jesus is tempted to sin.
This is a very dramatic event. If Jesus can be tempted to sin, by all means, we can also be tempted.
I am thinking that the three ways Jesus is tempted are very fundamental ways that we can also be led to sin. These may be very common, even universal challenges.
First: Hunger for More
We are first told that Jesus is hungry and that the devil tempts him to change stone into bread.
The deeper issue I see here is the hunger itself. We all have hunger – and I don’t mean just physical hunger – we all have hunger and desire within us.
We want more, more of what we have, or more by getting something we don’t have. It is so easy to get lured by advertising into thinking that this hunger or desire can be satisfied by more and more things.
Better food or more of it, a new car, nicer furniture, a bigger home, the latest-styled clothes, the most up-to-date i-Phone, a glamorous cruise to the Caribbean, and on it goes. All of these things are good in themselves, but they never really satisfy us.
And they don’t because God in the act of creation planted this hunger within us and it can only be satisfied by God. It can only be satisfied as we grow in our relationship with God and become more compassionate, understanding, patient, and life-giving persons – more God-like.
So, Jesus’ temptation is a very real temptation for us. And we too need to say: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Second: Expect No Pain
Then, Jesus is led to the roof of the temple and the devil tempts him to jump off.
Surely God will protect him from getting hurt. The deeper issue I see here is expecting God to protect us from all pain.
In other words, do we see a life of faith as something like a quid pro quo with God? If I have faith, and if I come to Mass, and if I obey the commandments, then surely God will take care of me.
I will be protected from sickness and losing my job and automobile accidents and family upsets and all the rest. But, as Jesus responds here, we are not to expect God to exempt us from all struggle and suffering.
Sadly, some of this is part of being human. Still, the good news is that God will help us to deal with all of this and even to grow through all of this to be more like Jesus – who also suffered.
So, Jesus’ temptation is again a very real temptation for us. And we too need to say: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Third: Get My Own Way
Finally, we are told that the devil takes Jesus up on a high mountain and offers him power over all the kingdoms of the world.
The deeper issue I see here is our use of power. We are tempted sometimes to want things our way at all costs.
We are tempted to use our strong personality to muscle others. Or we are tempted to manipulate others with guilt or half-truths.
And when we do this, we are in effect worshipping ourselves and making ourselves the center of everything. In contrast, Jesus is humble and shows the power of a certain vulnerability with others.
His way is one of respect for others, regardless of who they are or what they have done. His way is one of conversation and not coercion.
So, Jesus’ temptation is again a very real temptation for us. And we too need to say: “The Lord your God shall you worship, and him alone shall you serve.”
Conclusion
So, these three temptations of Jesus are probably universal human temptations. Maybe they can provide some good focus for our examination of conscience during these six weeks of Lent.
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