First Sunday of Lent (Year A). March 5, 2017 [Matthew 4:1-11]

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. (Mat 4:1)”

The reality of temptation has taken place even since the dawn of time. In the book of Genesis, we read that our first parents were tempted by the serpent and unfortunately, they were tricked, fell and sinned. Then one after another a biblical character was put into temptation and fell. Cain committed the first murder and fratricide. David was involved in adultery. Solomon worshipped and built temples for other pagan gods. Fortunately, not all fell during the time of trials. Job was pounded by all kinds of woes, but he never sinned and in fact, praised the Lord in the most miserable situation. And we have Jesus who triumphed over Satan and his temptations in the desert. Yet, why are we tempted? Why are we susceptible to this reality that lures us to sin?

The book of Genesis narrates to us that we were created on the sixth day (see Gen 1:24ff). We were the summit of creation as we were made in the image of God. Yet, the Bible says that we were not alone on the sixth day. God also fashioned the animals in this day. We were situated between the animals and the image of God. This is a symbolic narrative that we have both the animal side and the spiritual side. Yet, I am not saying that animals are bad. The animal-lovers will rally against me! This means we share what are common to animals: our physical body, emotions, and instinct. A Greek Philosopher, Aristotle correctly defined human being as ‘rational animal’. The purpose of creation is that we nurture all our humanity, both physical and spiritual, so that we may enter into the rest with God on the seventh day.

Unfortunately, that is not the end of the story. The evil forces also will not let us enter God’s rest effortlessly. They will continue to feed the ‘animal’ in us to the point that our spiritual aspect is neglected and overcome. The temptation is an attempt by the Satan and his cohorts to drag us way below the situation of an animal.

In the Gospel, we learn that Satan tempted Jesus to use His divine power to produce bread; to wield his might to amaze the crowd and draw praise to Himself; to submit to Satan so that He receives all glory and honor. Satan was tempting Jesus to yield to His physical, emotional and psychological needs by manipulating His spiritual power. As Satan did to Jesus, he will do to us. We all need food, security, and recognition, and the devil and his army will make sure that we will sacrifice our spiritual identity for these basic needs.

How to counter temptation? Jesus gives us the answer: the Word of God. We need to continue to feed our spiritual life with His Word. I am elated that more and more people, even the laity, study the Sacred Scriptures. Yet, we should be cautious as well since Satan also uses the Bible to deceive us and achieve his end. Thus, Lenten season calls us to intensify our efforts to study the Word of God together and within the Church. In Jesus, the Word of God, we shake off the devil and all his works.

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP