Feruary 18, 2024

1st Sunday of Lent (B)

Tackling those Annoying Temptations

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

The Gospel of the 1st Sunday of Lent is always that of the Lord’s temptation in the desert. Today, we hear St. Mark’s straight forward account. He simply tells us that Jesus was tempted. Why would the Son of God subject himself to temptation? Pope Benedict explains that it was “a way Jesus entered into the drama of human existence”…an act of solidarity with us sinners. In Hebrews we read: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin.” (4:15)

No one is immune from temptations. A student once asked his pastor, “Father, do temptations ever cease?” He replied, “Sure they do. Twenty minutes after we are buried!”

Temptations are attractions or enticements. We can be tempted to do good—for instance, you might be enticed to donate $1,000 to the parish this week. However, we more often view temptation as an enticement to see something that is bad as good, an invitation to sin.

Yet, temptations are not sins. Otherwise, we should have to call Jesus a sinner. The sin lies in succumbing to temptation. Still, many people think that they have sinned when they have only been tempted and they confess this. This is not matter for confession. What is matter for confession is the sin resulting from the temptation. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “God does not punish people for what they would have done, but for what they do.” Bishop Sheen said, “You are not tempted because you are evil, you are tempted because you are human.”

Where do temptations come from? Certainly not from God! The Lord may permit them, not to make us fall but to strengthen us, helping us become better disciples. Temptations may come from the devil, but it would be wrong to think that all temptations were diabolic.

Most temptations come from the culture or from deep-seated forces within us—our poorly controlled passions—envy, pride, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, and sloth, and they often arise when we are feeling most vulnerable. Things like fatigue, boredom, substance abuse, and poor self-esteem leave us more exposed to temptation. Those are the times we convince ourselves that sinful behavior “is not that bad” or “it’ll be just this once” or “this will be the last time.” What makes resisting temptation difficult is that we don’t want to discourage it completely.

How do we deal with temptations to avoid sin?
 

• Avoid the near occasions of sin—situations that trigger temptation—especially when we are anxious or tired. Sometimes we linger with temptations, sailing very close to sin, thinking, I’m strong. I can resist. You might, but don’t bet on it. Is gambling a problem? Stay away from AC. Alcohol? Don’t wander into a liquor store. The internet? Turn off the computer…tape a holy card onto the screen!
   

• Increase your prayer. Make the Mass, Eucharistic adoration, reading the Scriptures, Confession, and the Rosary a part of your routine.
   
• Stay active. Idleness is the devil’s workshop. Keep good company and develop wholesome hobbies. Idleness opens the door to temptation.

We should take temptations seriously but not become anxious or discouraged by them. St. John of Avila reminds us: “God is strong enough to free you from everything and can do more good than all the devils can do you harm. All that God decrees is that you confide in Him, that you draw near to Him, that you trust Him and distrust yourself and so be helped; and with this help, you will defeat whatever hell brings against you. Never lose this firm hope…even if the demons are legion and all kinds of severe temptations harass you.

Let us lean upon the Lord always as we tackle those annoying temptations!