Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
On this First Sunday of Lent, we reflect upon the nature of temptation. In our First Reading, we see Adam and Eve giving in to temptation; while in our Gospel, we see Jesus remaining strong. The devil tricked Adam and Eve into believing that God did not have their best interests at heart. The devil tried to lure Jesus into believing the same – but Jesus remained steadfast in the Truth. We are called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and remain strong in the face of temptation. How can you relate to the temptations of Jesus and His resolve to stay true to His beliefs? What lessons can we teach our children about staying true to Christian values amidst our society that often glorifies sin and temptation? Jesus is the “new Adam.” How can you become a new creature in Christ this Lent?
In this passage we are re-acquainted with Adam and Eve and the temptations of being human. They reportedly have everything they need in the garden including fellowship with God. Then it happens, a requirement not to partake in the forbidden “fruit” of the tree of “knowledge”. “Fruit”, something life sustaining, plentiful, and sweet. “Knowledge”, facts that give us the opportunity to make choices. The devil deceives Adam and Eve by offering some information that they find tempting. A choice is made (all of life is a series of choices). They both partake “fruit” and then discover their decision is not a good one. The Result is one blames the other, they hide from the result of their decision, don’t apologize, no self-control, no remorse. The result? Separation, chaotic lifestyle, complaining, anger, hardship, and not facing the true demons. Perhaps they made a choice to also test God’s grace? Did they choose to be ungrateful?
Just think of it. Tell us not to do something, you’re not good enough, smart enough, etc., and we jump in head long. “I’ll show them!”. To choice again. If it is an unwise choice we may justify as it won’t matter, no one will know, everybody does it, your better, bigger, stronger than that. Unwise choices can lead to exhaustion, becoming depressed, addicted, angry, blaming, and maybe, not take responsibility? What do we tell our family, children, friends, co-workers, or people we meet? Are we doomed to the endless torture of feeling inadequate with nowhere to turn? To trust our under inflated or over inflated ego? Do we let our internal Ego guide our behavior? Consider Jesus who always points the way to the Father. Jesus after being baptized, embarks on healing the blemish and confusion of Adam and Eve. In effect, becoming the new Adam.He is led by the spirit to the desert. He enters the desert alone and walks alone. No Eve like companion to accompany him. Just alone, no one to blame and no one to help him make a worldly decision. What does the desert offer? Emptiness, desolation, danger, no food, no water, a
time to spend trying to survive. A time to also survive with your own thoughts and fears.
The devil appears again. This time the demon offers the opportunities to choose. The demon doesn’t threaten or scare, just presenting some thoughts that Jesus could make some choices on.
1. Hungry? so “you can turn the stones into bread”. Jesus chooses, “we do not live by bread alone but on God’s word”. Result: we may feel we’re suffering and hunger and thirst but we do not live by any one item. This includes physical things. Just try a new diet. It has been said it takes 35 to 45 days to break a habit. Jesus was in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. We often find ourselves in situations where we feel alone, humiliated,
hungry, and sad. A desert like existence. Jesus endured the desert so we can also.
2. “Throw yourself off a high place and God will protect you”. Here Jesus is being tested and challenged to prove that God is listening and close to him. Jesus chooses: simply responding not to tempt God. Trust and faith are stronger than being tempted to change the outcome or prove that you are correct. Every fiber of our being longs to control the situation. Not to mention the outcome. We are set to argue our side of the story. Jesus knows that God loves with unconditional love and Jesus doesn’t have to prove it.
3. The devil shows Jesus the kingdoms of the world. He is tempted and challenged to worship the demon who says he will give him all of these things. Jesus choice: The love
of God exceeds the world, being noticed, being counted, perceived as powerful, and craving notoriety and constant attention. Jesus responds that “we shall worship and serve God alone.” Then the devil left him.
Jesus then walked out of the desert and continued to live in the spirit. Jesus made sound choices based in the spirit and the love of God. We too are faced with many choices. We can choose to reflect on Jesus choices. We can walk with him out of the daily deserts that we find ourselves in physically, mentally, or spiritually.
We can choose as Jesus did, even if we created the desert experience ourselves.
Kevin Gaffney, RCIA Instructor, St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish