Whenever it came to Lenten practice as the Belken household, there were definitely many traditions that we would follow. Now there are the typical ones that everyone does- giving up meat, fasting on the days that we were supposed to, and getting to the Stations of the Cross when we could. Yet, there was one practice that was more supplemental than anything- and yet it was a constant one- we as a family would give up sweets. Now, certainly, having support at home with that endeavor made it much easier- since we would not necessarily have sweets around to tempt us- but I remember this became much more difficult when I was able to drive. It was then that I was able to seek the “forbidden fruit” of whatever sugar called for my sweet tooth’s attention, and so there all of a sudden was a whole new level of difficulty and a conundrum- do I cave to the craving, or do I stay the course, even though I really badly wanted whatever sugary confection I happened to come across?
To be sure, there was an element of what we call “temptation” in those times. These were the moments where I had to choose to follow or not to follow what Lenten practice we had selected as a family. I could have my reward now- but maybe I could wait for forty days, or at least for Sunday, couldn’t I? That was the constant battle at play in my heart. Now, certainly, this battle takes place on a much larger palate of possibilities. It could be that we aren’t being tempted by Lenten penances as much, but we are being plagued by the draw to other vices, perhaps food related, perhaps related to the flesh, or even some that are spiritual or even emotional realities. What are we to do when these temptations arise- how do we deal with sin? Where is our Lord Jesus Christ at during these times?
The first reading this weekend comes from the book of Genesis, and it starts out at the beginnings of creation- specifically at the creation of the crowning Jewel of all of creation- of Adam and Eve. Now, we know at the outset that they were created to be good- and they were given power and dominion over all of the rest of creation. They are in a beautiful place of paradise- the Garden of Eden- and they are given all sorts of great things and gifts. Yet, there is a problem in creation- and it is an embodiment of temptation- especially borne at the hands of the ancient serpent- a sort of tempter. That very creature approaches Eve and asks- did the Lord really tell you not to eat of the fruit of any of the trees? Eve responds- there is only this one particular that we cannot eat- because we will die. The serpent shrugs this off and begins to turn things around- you won’t die- you will become like gods! He tells them that they will be much better than before- and so all of a sudden they are awoken to temptation- and they fall.
We see this immediate effect, and then suddenly they recognize that they are naked. Originally, they had innocence, but suddenly there is a profound shame- and that shame clouds their vision so much that they need to be covered. Though this is not the full extent of the death that was promised, there is still a preliminary figure here in this- and it is a reminder that they have experienced death to their spirit at least in some small way already. Truly, something bad was made to look good in temptation, and unfortunately they fell.
Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans however offers us a different perspective on these things and it gives us a twofold view of the reality of sin- first we see the reality of sin, but then we see what happens to compensate for that. At the very outset- there is this idea- sin is how death enters into the world- and that enters in through one man. That is a harsh and brutal reality in many respects- and it is one that would continue to make things seem hopeless in the reality of our nature. Yet, as we continue the reading the tone shifts- and all of a sudden we focus on the gift that combats the transgression. So we are told that the gift is how through one man there is atonement- and it is a superabundant atonement- it is not just for one sin, but for all sin. So, it covers original sin, and then it covers all personal sin as well! This is a powerful transition- and it is actually a message of profound hope. The great transition moves from the disobedience of one man to the obedience of another- and because of this there is a powerful movement and a grace-filled one because of the grace poured out by Jesus Christ.
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel passage for this Sunday- and it is one that is likely very familiar to our ears. Jesus is sent out into the desert for forty days and forty nights to be tempted by the devil. The end of this time comes and then we hear that Jesus is hungry. It is at this moment the tempter approaches- because he feels that Jesus will finally be at his weakest point- perhaps he can trip him up! He starts off with something easy- something very base. If you are the Son of God- turn these rocks into bread. He is trying to get him to do something very small, and yet, Jesus is aware of this, and turns it away- and reminds Satan that man cannot live on bread alone- Jesus is not actually truly hungry for a false bread. Then the devil moves to the next temptation- to utilize God’s power. He wants him to throw himself off the temple- to test God and see if he will try to save Jesus in this moment. He even tries to utilize scripture in this moment to throw him off. Yet, Jesus is aware of the greater context of scripture- and reminds Satan that “you shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” The final temptation comes and it is an attempt to give Jesus an earthly rulership rather than a heavenly one- a sort of escape from the trials of the heavenly Kingdom that He is working towards. Yet, again, Jesus tells the devil He will only worship the Lord and serve Him alone. It is at this moment that the angels come to Jesus and give Him what He needs.
As we have covered each of these three readings, we have encountered three different elements that all go together in our spiritual life- we have encountered temptation, we have encountered sin, and we have encountered God’s mercy and grace. If we go back to the Gospel we are told about the reality of temptation in Jesus Himself. We know that Jesus is God, and yet He comes to share in our humanity- and was tried in the very same ways that we were- but was unlike us though, because He elected not to fall into sin. So, He is here to show us a reality- no matter how powerful the temptation- it can be withstood. It didn’t matter that he was tempted to turn rocks into bread, to satisfy an earthly passion. It didn’t matter that he was tempted to distrust. It didn’t even matter that He was tempted to forsake the Cross and to live a life of luxury and comfort. None of these things mattered enough to Him to commit them- and so the devil goes away empty and defeated. Now, to be sure, we each encounter a lot of different temptations in our lives. Some powerful, some weak, and some in between. Yet, we have never encountered a temptation that was too strong to be overcome- at least with some help.
That is where the second point comes in. Saint Paul reminds us in a beautiful way about the grace that is offered us in Christ. This means that, even though in Adam all have sinned, or have even inherited his sin, there is still grace afforded to us in Christ. That is not just for that original sin, but for all sin that follows that as well.
Yet, the final point is what we do if we fall to temptation. Much like Adam and Eve, we are all likely very aware of the moments where we have chosen poorly, and we need redemption. That comes to us in Jesus- in a particular way in the sacrament of Reconciliation. We need this grace and help in our lives- and it is given to us in abundance- but we have to be willing to turn back to God in this sacramental way. What’s more, we are given grace to avoid temptation in the future by this sacrament- so it not only helps us now- but also helps us in the future as well!
Brothers and sisters- temptation is a reality of our life- and often times sin seems inevitable. Yet, by God’s grace we can avoid whatever forbidden fruit- whether sweets or otherwise- might be made enticing to our eyes. We simply need to rely upon the Lord and turn to him in our moments of need. Perhaps we too, if we focus on our desire to avoid sin and temptation- can become strong in Christ to avoid even the worst of sins and of temptations.
