70. First Sunday of Lent

Meditations no. 116 (unofficial computer-aided translation)

Christ was tempted in order to show us how to overcome temptations.

Lent commemorates the forty days Jesus spent in the desert in preparation for his years of preaching, which culminated in the Cross and in the triumph of Easter. Forty days of prayer and penance. At the end: the temptations of Christ, which the liturgy recalls for us in today’s Gospel.

The whole episode is a mystery which man cannot hope to understand: God submitting to temptation, letting the evil one have his way. But we can meditate upon it, asking our Lord to help us understand the teaching it contains.

Jesus Christ being tempted… Tradition likes to see Christ’s trials in this way: our Lord, who came to be an example to us in all things, wanted to suffer temptation as well. And so it is, for Christ was perfect man, like us in everything except in sin. After forty days of fasting, with perhaps no food other than herbs and roots and a little water, he feels hungry - he is really hungry, as anyone would be. And when the devil suggests he turn stones into bread, our Lord not only declines the food which his body requires, but he also rejects a greater temptation: that of using his divine power to solve, if we can express it so, a personal problem.

In the second temptation, when the devil suggests Jesus throw himself off the temple tower, Christ again rejects the suggestion to make use of his divine power. Christ isn’t looking for vainglory, for show. He teaches us not to stage God as the backdrop for our own excellence. Jesus Christ wants to fulfil the will of his Father without anticipating God’s plans, without advancing the time for miracles; he simply plods the hard path of men, the lovable way of the Cross.

Something very similar happens in the third temptation: he is offered kingdoms, power and glory. The devil tries to extend to human ambitions that devotion which should be reserved wholly for God; he promises us an easy life if we fall down before him, before idols. Our Lord insists that the only true end of adoration is God; and he confirms his will to serve: “Away with you, Satan; it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and serve none but him.”

Our Lord really wanted to undergo the test in his human nature without using his divine omnipotence. In his struggle he only used the means which we can also use, so that the example of his victory may be profitable to us. The Gospel for today’s Mass gives us a powerful reason for staying firm and serene, keeping our calm when we are tempted. As St Gregory the Great points out, the Lord, who came to conquer our death by his own death, likewise overcame our temptations by his own temptations.

Temptations purify and strengthen us, and help us be humble and realize we are still wayfarers.

The Gospel scene of the temptations comes just before the beginning of Jesus’ public life. The striking thing is that it was the Holy Spirit who brought our Lord to the desert, in order to be tempted. That is what the Gospel expressly states, St John Chrysostom comments. The reason is that the Lord did everything and bore everything in order to instruct us. Therefore, he also wanted to be brought to the desert and do battle with the devil. This was so that when the baptized suffer great temptations after baptism, they are not alarmed on this account as though such a thing were not to be expected. They should not be alarmed, but should stand their ground and bear temptations generously, as something very natural.

If we did not bear this in mind, we might open the door to a dangerous enemy, pessimism. Our Father warns us that this could happen to human beings who are conscious of being children of God, but who, in the face of intense suffering, out of pride or some sort of esprit de corps, fail to see that they are ut iumentum, like a donkey. You already know what I say about donkeys. The harder they’re beaten, the harder they work. Our spirit must be such that we never become disheartened even if adversity arises.

Our Lord allows us to be tempted. At the same time, he gives us the grace to make good use of temptations for our interior life. Therefore, neither our vocation as Christians nor our calling to the Work will prevent us from being tempted. St John Chrysostom explains why God allows temptations: in the first place, so that you may realize that now you are stronger. Secondly, so that you may become moderate and humble, not puffed up by the greatness of the gifts you have received, for temptations easily suppress your pride. Thirdly, the devil may doubt whether you have really abandoned him, and through the test of temptation he may clearly ascertain that you have left him for ever.

Fourthly, temptations make you stronger than the best-tempered iron. Fifthly, they give you the best proof of how precious are the treasures with which you have been entrusted, for had the devil not seen you now set in a place of great honour, he would not have attacked you.

Temptations help to purify us, and by showing us our weak points, they help us get to know ourselves. Therefore, we shall keep a supernatural outlook when temptation comes, confident that, as St Paul teaches, 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. Besides, they are a guarantee of spiritual fruitfulness. A bee is an insignificant little creature, but many together produce wonderful honey. In our souls, difficulties perform a somewhat similar function: at times they sting, and hurt us; but if we accept them for the love of God they turn sweet and are a wonderful treasure.

Faithfulness to God’s call is our best defence against temptation.

Three times the enemy came to tempt the Lord. If you are the Son of God… And each time Jesus Christ rejected these temptations. Begone Satan, for it is written: You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.

We should learn from Jesus’ attitude in these trials. During his life on earth he did not even want the glory that belonged to him. Though he had the right to be treated as God, he took the form of a servant, a slave. And so the Christian knows that all glory is due to God and that he must not make use of the sublimity and greatness of the Gospel to further his own interests or human ambitions.

We should learn from Jesus. His attitude in rejecting all human glory is in perfect balance with the greatness of his unique mission as the beloved Son of God who takes flesh to save men. He has a mission which the Father affectionately guides with tender care: Filius meus es tu, ego hodie genui te. Postula a me et dabo tibi gentes hereditatem tuam. You are my son; I have begotten you this day. Only ask, and you shall have the nations for your patrimony.

And the Christian who, following Christ, has this attitude of complete adoration of the Father, also experiences our Lord’s loving care: He trusts in me, mine it is to rescue him; he acknowledges my name, from me he shall have protection.

Jesus says “no” to the devil, the prince of darkness. And immediately all is light. Then the devil left him alone; and thereupon angels came and ministered to him. Jesus has stood up to the test.

Relying on his example and on the strength of his power, we too will bear all the tests and temptations which God our Lord permits. A Christian’s life is a fight, a war, a beautiful war of peace … a relentless fight against pride, against our tendency to do evil and our exaltation of self. And in this war, our Lord stays with us: He will cover you with his pinions and under his wings you will find refuge. Let us therefore invoke him in the words of the Church: You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

Our Father concludes: I’m going to stop now and continue the Mass, and I want each of us to consider what God is asking of us, what resolution, what decisions grace wants to encourage in us. And as you note these supernatural and human demands of self-giving and continuing struggle, remember that Jesus

Christ is our model. And that Jesus, being God, allowed himself to be tempted, so that we might be in better spirits and feel certain of victory. For God does not lose battles, and if we are united to him, we will never be overcome. On the contrary, we can call ourselves victors and indeed be victors: good children of God.