By Kate Walsh-Soucheray

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Begone, Satan! for it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve’”  (Mt 4:10).

God is with us even when we are facing temptation, just as Jesus faced in today’s Gospel: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor 10:13).

Temptation: Part of the Human Condition

Temptation is part of the human condition, and most of us, when tempted, respond with distraction, fear, or perhaps even excitement. Jesus, being the person He is, responded to the temptations of Satan with clarity, consistency, and courage. Satan tried his very best to tempt Jesus with all the earthly pleasures he thought would entice Him: food, power, and wealth. Jesus knew what He had come to the earth to accomplish, and not one of these enticements would fulfill this initiative, nor assist Him toward their attainment. And even though He was tired and hungry, He was able to keep His mind clear and resist the allurements Satan offered.

Each one of us knows exactly what temptation feels like. In fact, we may have given into unholy temptations at some point in our lives. If that is true, we should hasten to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and confess that sin as quickly and as thoroughly as possible so our soul is cleansed of our lack of wisdom and will. Then we must make every effort to remain as sin-free as we are able, turning away from temptation at every turn, remaining in the state of grace we have received. Grace is the gift of God’s presence to us, and what better time to enter into that grace than the Season of Lent?

Lent is a time of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. Each aspect of this liturgical season will ideally bring us closer to the Heart of Jesus, so that, during the Triduum, we are able to enter into the mystery of these High Holy Days with a clean heart and refreshed soul. A good Lent is rewarded with a contrite heart on Good Friday and a joy-filled soul on Easter Sunday. Lent’s purpose is to prepare us for the Resurrection of Jesus in our hearts, minds, and souls, which will help us dedicate every moment to serving Him throughout our lives.

A Good Lent

Whatever alms we choose to give, whether personally or as a family, that gift is meant to help us live with poverty in our thoughts and actions. Whatever fast we choose to enter into, this is intended to help us become hungry to be filled with the presence of our Lord. And whatever prayer we initiate, this is meant to transform us throughout these forty days and change our hardened hearts, making them soft and pliable so that we are prepared to receive our risen Savior on Easter Sunday.

Whatever temptations we encounter, perhaps gossip, perhaps dishonesty or deceit, perhaps speaking harshly to others, this is the season to help us temper our ways. If we can enter fully into the Season of Lent with good intentions and a dedication to a renewal of our spirit, beginning with this first Sunday and doing our best to hold to our commitments throughout these forty days, we can live in the hope of a blessed Easter! As my dear deceased mother-in-law used to say, “There can be no Easter Sunday without Good Friday.” Enter into this Lent and High Holy Days with intention and dedication.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, come into my heart today. Transform me with your love and help me to love others the way you love them. Help me to see the goodness within them and befriend them with your love. Bless me and help others see you when they see me.

Call to Action:

• Begin today to follow your Lenten initiatives and make every effort to maintain them throughout these forty days.
• If there is anything troubling your heart as the result of a temptation you gave into, find out when your priest is hearing Confession and make every effort today to get there. Every day that sin rules our hearts is a day that Christ cannot. Get there and begin anew!

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