In the gospel of today’s Mass on this first Sunday of Lent, we hear Saint Mark’s account of Jesus’ time of temptation in the desert (Mark 1:12-15). Mark gives us the short version. We find more detailed accounts in the gospels of Luke (4:1-13) and Matthew (Matthew 4:1-11).
As we reflect on this scripture, we come to realize that Jesus faced temptations similar to those temptations that we face. Most importantly, Jesus provides a model for us to imitate as we respond to our own temptations.
Jesus is tempted to turn stone to bread in order to satisfy his hunger. It can be similar for us. Many times we are tempted to “fill ourselves up” with the “bread” of this material world while ignoring God’s Word and our spiritual need. But, from Jesus’ response to this temptation, we come to realize that our focus needs to be on our spiritual well-being more than our material well-being. Jesus helps us realize that it is our relationship with God that gives our earthly lives real meaning, and that it is intimate communion with God that opens the door to eternal life.
Jesus is then tempted to jump from the precipice to prove that God will come to his aid. It can be similar for us. Many times we are tempted to have God “prove” himself to us – to give us a “sign” of sorts. And sometimes when things don’t go our way or don’t go according to our plans, we are tempted to question God’s wisdom and goodness. And when this happens sometimes we are inclined to try to wrestle control of our lives away from God. But, from Jesus’ response to this temptation, we come to realize that we need to abandon ourselves to God with a child-like obedience and trust. Jesus helps us realize that God needs to prove nothing to us since he has already proved everything. Jesus helps us realize that our “invisible” God is always present to us, and most present in times of need.
Finally, Satan offers Jesus an earthly kingdom in exchange for Jesus’ worship. It can be similar for us. Many times we are tempted to turn away from God as we pursue prestige, power, affirmation, and other worldly ambitions. We are tempted to worship the false gods of self-ego, money, and possessions rather than the one true God. We are tempted to allow our pride, insecurity, and selfishness to trample God’s law of love. But, from Jesus’ response to this temptation, we come to realize that we must place God at the very center of our lives so that God may do his work in us. Jesus helps us realize that it is only by allowing God to penetrate our being that we can live humbly and selflessly. It is only by becoming secure in God’s love that we can love. It is only by acknowledging the blessings we receive that we can get beyond ourselves and generously share those blessings.
And Jesus not only shows us how we must respond to these temptations. Jesus also shows us where we find the strength to achieve this. Just prior to his encounter with Satan, Jesus had spent forty days in prayerful communion with his Father. This is what sustained and fortified him. And it is the same for us. Jesus shows us that it is through prayerful communion with God that we receive the sustenance and fortitude we need to remain faithful amidst the temptations of this world. With his Father at his side, Jesus overcame Satan and all his empty promises. With Jesus by our side, we can do the same.
And of course, we need not anguish too much when we succumb to temptations, when we momentarily turn ourselves away from God. We know it will happen. We know it happens every day. Yet, even if we do fall off course, there is no need to despair, because God, in his infinite mercy and love, gives us every chance to right ourselves and reconcile ourselves to him and to each other. God stands ready to forgive our transgressions time and time again because he wants us to live in his love and be with him forever.
So we continue onward this Lent with Jesus as our model, and our strength. We once again accept God’s gracious invitation to turn ourselves back to him, confident in the great love, mercy, and forgiveness that God bestows upon us at all times.