The First Sunday in Lent
February 25, 2007
12:45PM Meditation
Luke 4:1-13
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
In Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ, one of the first scenes shows Jesus stepping on the head of a serpent. It is after the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus has overcome the temptation to let his cup pass by him. The serpent, of course, represents Satan, and, though the scene is not biblical, the destruction of the serpent illustrates what really happened in the Garden: Jesus again thwarted the devil’s wiles, remained faithful, and continued to offer his suffering up for the redemption of the world.
I say he did this again because the devil tempted Jesus first when he was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness. Today’s Gospel recounts how Jesus resisted the temptations of the devil, how he did not succumb despite his intense hunger after so long a fast. What I want to look at today is not the specific temptations that Jesus endured and overcame but the last line of the Gospel, which reads, “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).
The end of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness was not the end of Jesus’ temptation. As I said just a few minutes ago we know that Jesus was tempted in the Garden of Gethsemane, as Mel Gibson portrayed in his movie. We know also that Jesus was tempted by St. Peter himself, who told our Lord that he need not suffer and die to redeem the world. Jesus’ reply to Peter was, “Get behind me, Satan. For you are not on the side of God, but of men” (Mark 8:33). We know, as well, that Jesus was tempted even after he was upon the cross. The people walked by and taunted him, telling him, “Save yourself, and come down from the cross!” (Mark 15:30). Even one of the criminals crucified with him tempted Jesus. He told Jesus to save himself and both the robbers, earning the famous rebuke from his companion, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:40-1). The devil, in other words, was not content with tempting Jesus in the wilderness, but found many more ways to tempt him. He found those opportune times with which today’s Gospel ends. He will find them also with us.
All of us have experienced at one time or another the elation that comes with overcoming temptation, whether that temptation originates within ourselves or is thrust upon us by the devil and his minions. We feel a certain satisfaction knowing that we have not succumbed to the temptation to do what is wicked in the sight of the Lord. If we are wise we give thanks to God for granting us the grace to win this small victory over our adversary. If we are not so wise we find ourselves battling a new temptation, the temptation to pride about our spiritual maturity and strength of character. That elation, in other words, can be an encouragement, a reminder of the Lord’s presence with us, or it can be the occasion for a new trial, another opportunity for our adversary to lead us astray.
The last line in today’s Gospel is important because it reminds us that with every temptation that Jesus overcame he immediately had to gird himself for the temptation that was to come. Of course, he did not live in fear of temptation, because he had demonstrated he had the resources to overcome temptation. But he also did not live presumptuously, imagining that because he had whipped the devil once that the devil would not come back for a rematch. That is, he was prepared for temptation because he expected temptation. As he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come” (Luke 17:1). Jesus recognized the nature of evil. We are not immune from its effects just because we have for now defeated its designs upon our lives. We must be ready to fight it again, perhaps even a moment later.
The season of Lent is a time for us to discern in what manner we are prone to temptation. Our weaknesses are not all the same, any more than we all have the same strengths. Thus, each of us must determine what temptations we are called to overcome. In undertaking this sort of discernment we will be better prepared for the temptations to sin that are sure to come, girded by the grace of God, and ready to continue fighting even after a victory has been won.
We might also discern what temptations we as a group are prone to. After more than two years in transition we have demonstrated that we have overcome the temptation to quit. This, of course, is a blessing. But before too long much attention will be lavished upon us, and we will be tempted to imagine that this attention indicates how important we are. With that will come temptations to pride and the arrogance that attends all those who forget God has called them to be servants. Nor can we forget the temptations we will face when we come into contact with those who oppose what we are doing. There will then be temptations to lack of charity, impatience, and vengeance. We mustn’t forget that as soon as we win one victory another challenge is sure to come.
If we desire to be prepared for these challenges we will do well to consider the resources we’ve been given to win the fight. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Luke 4:4). Indeed, he has given us himself, the Bread of Life. As the end of one journey and the beginning of another draws near, we ought to avail ourselves as often as we can of this invaluable gift, presenting ourselves at the foot of the cross, eager to receive the Lord’s Body and Blood. To rely on him is the only way we can hope to overcome the temptations we are sure to face.
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.