Matthew 4, 1-11
Sunday, 26th February 2023 (1st T C A)
“At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he finally became hungry”.
There are times in our lives when we have to choose between two options. Deep down inside we know which is the right one, but we find more than enough reasons to choose the other, either because it is more attractive to us, or because it requires less from us, or because it gives us a better image, or because it is less of a sacrifice…. It is the temptation.
The Evil One presents us with the other option in such a way that we feel compelled to choose it. We fall into the trap. We allow ourselves to be seduced by the easy, the immediate, the pleasurable.
Like Adam and Eve in paradise. Like everyone throughout history. Well, not everyone. Not Jesus. Although he was just like us, felt just like us, struggled and suffered just like us, he was very clear about what God was asking of him. And he listened to his Word and not to that of the Evil One. He struggled and overcame temptation.
For yet another year, Lent is the opportunity to follow the path that our heart points us to, that the Spirit of God urges us to follow. Let us allow the Word of God to show us the way and give us the strength and confidence to choose the right one. And let us continually ask the Lord not to let us fall into temptation.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
Which path do you follow?
