1ST SUNDAY OF LENT: GRACE KEEPS YOU AT THE TOP.

Moses says, “And having set them before the Lord your God, you shall bow down in his presence.” Being the unmerited, "free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life,” grace provides us with the strength to face temptations and conquer the devil in the Christian life.

The temptations of Jesus present a series of challenges that can apply to believers. First, Jesus is hungry. Second, as a man, he should love fame and honor. Third, he should appreciate power. The devil brings these seductive packages that seem necessary for Jesus at the time. The devil can be smart, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time” (Lk. 4:23). Satan never stops working. But God’s grace keeps believers on top of the game. Temptations are a part of life.

When the devil fails with the first plan, he comes up with a Plan B. Satan knows that leaders love fame. Spiritual leaders love to wield power. Some leaders would present faith as a form of magic and want their followers to see them as famous for what they do. The devil knows that. He says to Jesus, “I shall give you all this power and glory if you worship me.” Christ defies his strategy and points him to the first commandment, “Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, Him alone shall you serve.”

This is a warning to believers. The devil takes Jesus to a high cliff disguising himself as a preacher. He too knows the Bible and can use the Psalms, “He will command his angels concerning you, and with their hands, they will support you lest you strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus radically rebukes the devil. Saint Paul’s warning is important here, “So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Our victory comes from the Cross of Christ. Let the devil know that all power belongs to God and that the reign of God is supreme.

1.    We are not immune from temptation.

God did not give us a “free from temptation insurance.” The devil constantly goes after believers, beginning from the time of Adam and Eve. Jesus experiences temptation but stands firm, and restores human innocence through his cross and resurrection. Jesus faces temptation as a human. Jesus does not just overcome temptation; he gives us grace to conquer temptations. Saint Paul urges us, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame” (Rom. 10:11).

2.    Activate your spiritual call line.

We hear Paul say to us in the second reading, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (10:13). Peter realizes the need to keep his spiritual call line open, when, beginning to sink in the waters, he cries out, “Lord save me!” (Matt. 14:30). The wind of temptation can be too strong, but we must stretch out our hand for help. Prayer must be offered with faith. Pornography addiction. Alcohol. Drugs. Gossip. Resentment. Lies. Backbiting. Speak to the Lord and ask for help. It works! In the Lord’s prayer, we call on the Lord, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” The Psalm says, “For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help” (22:24).

3.    Temptation targets our weaknesses, not our strengths.

Check out what will happen during this Lent. The very things you make up your mind not to do will be the point of temptation for you. The devil knows that what the soul detests, the senses desire. And he latches on to our weaknesses. Temptations aim at our desires, at the weak spots of our senses. It offers seductive alternatives and bargains. Temptations cash in on our cravings and appetites. Your desire for food, the quest for power, ambition for fame, demand for self-glory, the concupiscence of the flesh, appreciation for beauty, and quest for affirmation. Temptation lures you to satisfy the sensual appetite. The devil’s game plan is to present what seems appealing.

4.    The devil’s offers are unattractively attractive.

Satan appeals to Christ, “Throw yourself down. He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you.” Satan backs his offers up with fake promises and says, “It doesn’t matter.” “Nothing will happen to you.” “It is normal.” “Everyone is doing it.” “God knows your weakness.” As a child of God, do we need the devil to remind us that God protects us? The temptations of Christ reveal that Christians must distinguish the voice of God from the deceptive voice of the devil. God will never ask you to do evil and won’t placate evil with any good promise. This replays the narrative at Eden when the serpent says to Eve, “You will not certainly die. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Gen. 3:4-5)

Recommendations:

·       Grace and mercy keep you at the top.

Truly, the devil knows that a holy, spiritual life is key to staying at the top. In spiritual life, powers, fame, earthly glories, and riches do not keep you at the top. Let us remind ourselves to worship the Lord, our God, and that him alone shall we serve (Lk. 4:8).

·       Set some goals to keep track of how you’re doing.

During this Lent, visit the Blessed Sacrament to adore the Lord. Stretch the body through fasting since “man does not live by bread alone.”

·       Pray to the Holy Spirit to fill you with the light of God’s strength as He did for Jesus.

And like Peter, remember to shout for help. Go to confession and tell Jesus, “Lord, save me!” God always wins!

Readings: 1st- Deut. 26:4-10; 2nd- Rom. 10:8-13; Gospel- Lk. 4:1-13