OVERCOMING TEMPTATION WITH JESUS
(1st Sunday of Lent, Yr A; Gen.2:7-9;3:1-7/Ps.51/Rom 5:12-19/Mt.4:1-11).
Today is 1st Sunday of Lent. In his 2017 Lenten Message, Pope Francis describes Lent as "a favourable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of Sanctification offered us by the Church: Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving. At the basis of everything is the Word of God, which during this season we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply." The 1st and the Gospel readings (taken from Genesis and Matthew as listed above) talk about temptation. While the 1st is about Adam, the 1st Man; the 2nd concerns Jesus Christ. St Paul in the 2nd reading (Rom.5:12-19), describes Adam as the means through which Sin entered the world, and then death. He was tempted by the devil and he failed. On the other hand, grace greater than sins comes through the one Man Jesus Christ, the 2nd Adam; and life is restored. He was tempted but he conquered the devil. Today, our attention focuses more on Jesus and his Victory over the devil and sin. The temptation of Jesus is a remarkable Experience that teaches us, his followers, great Lessons. First, that temptation in itself is not evil. Second, that it's very possible to overcome temptations. Third, that overcoming temptation once doesn't mean the end of it, it comes repeatedly in the spiritual life. Furthermore, Jesus Christ used the scripture to overcome temptations. Other ways to conquer the devil and his tricks include: Deep knowledge of the Word of God (Heb4:12); Adherence to the will of God like Jesus (Jn4:34); Being vigilant of and recognizing temptation(1Pt.5:8); Prayer (Mt.6:13); Avoid the occasion of temptation(2Tm.2:22); Call on Jesus for help (Heb.4:15-16); Avoid the pursuit of earthly glory and deification like Adam did; Be contented with what you have and fast for the glory of God and not for self glory. WE CAN OVERCOME TEMPTATION WITH JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD (Jn 1:1). God bless your family. Happy Sunday!
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