THE RESPONSE TO TEMPTATIONS

Meditation for the First Sunday of Lent
(Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Rm 5:12-19; Mt 4:1-11)

On this first Sunday of Lent, let us meditate on Jesus’ responses his temptation in the wilderness. Every temptation comes as an ‘appeal’ to our free will and it awaits our response. If we succumb to the appeal of the temptation, then we sin and wound our relationship with God. Though we know the right choice, often times our wills are not strong enough to withstand the alluring force of temptation. So, we connect ourselves through meditation to Jesus’ response to the devil, that we may draw strength from Him to overcome every temptation.

In response to the first temptation, Jesus said to the devil, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” The word of God is the anchor that can sustain in time of temptation. In the first reading, Adam and Eve lived by God’s word and avoided eating the forbidden fruit until the serpent deceived them. They pulled off from the authority of God’s word and relied on their selfish desires. In the second reading, St Paul explains that, just as one Adam’s sin let to condemnation for all men, “So one man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men.” That means the life of the word of God comes to us as we participate in the righteousness of Jesus, in whom is the fullness of life. Therefore, as we live out the righteousness of Jesus, we shall conquer every temptation.

 

To the second temptation, Jesus responded, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Sometimes in the face of temptation, we can be so casual, trying to take advantage of God’s mercy. At times too, we are taken over by pride and become presumptuous. At this point we exaggerate our capacity to overcome the temptation, and we begin to lay claim to God’s protection. However, man cannot condition God to come to his aid. Adam and Eve knew the forbidden fruit would bring death, yet they decided to take the risk. They got carried away by the empty promises projected by the serpent. You cannot throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple, and presuming that God will send His angels to protect you. So, in the face of temptation, we must not project our ego, instead, we respond with humility like Jesus, who through His obedience brought righteousness and justification to many.

 

Thirdly, Jesus quickly replied, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’” The promptness of the response says it all: the child of God should react swiftly against any temptation that threaten his faith and worship of God. Think about how Eve allowed the serpent to question her loyalty to God! We must realize that there are some issues about our faith in God that are not open to questioning and debate. Our response to such temptations must be, ‘Begone, Satan.’ This swift response must be applied against any temptation that tries to hinder us from participating in the righteousness of Jesus, for it is by Jesus’ obedience and act of righteousness that set us free from the bondage of sin and death. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Sunday February 26^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com