First Sunday In Lent

1   Weapons of Mass Destruction. At one time we took this seriously because they were lethal. Now as it gradually becoming clear - that there never were any Weapons of Mass Destruction, it has become a standing joke. Today, however, we have Temptations. They are no joke.   Renata Furst a theologian from Montreal would tell us that Temptations are weapons of lethal destruction.  

 they destroy our self identity

 they disrupt our relationship with nature

 they distort our image of God.

2.         Temptations are not sinful in themselves. Jesus himself had temptations as we see in the Gospel today.  I like to think of them as a pain in the body: a toothache, a headache, a backache which point to something more serious, something more severe, something even fatal.  They DO become lethal weapons when we try to hide them. We are embarrassed about them. Who would like to say that I am tempted to gluttony, or lust or laziness or lying. You will find as I do when you bring the temptations into the light; when you tell them to a wise person, a spiritual director - when you turn them over to God, TEMPTATIONS disappear like clouds on a hot sunny day. They cannot face light - they love darkness and secrecy.

3.         Our Book of Genesis and the Gospel of Matthew give us two sets of temptations. In both cases, the Devil is the Tempter - first in the guise of the serpent, then in the case of Jesus, the Devil comes in person.

AT first sight both seem to be about EATING. If you eat the fruit you will not die. Your eyes will be opened. You will be like God.

“If you are the Son of God, you can turn the stones into bread.

Both temptations point to something good: “You will be like God.”You can turn stones into bread, something hard and barren, : stones in the wilderness, into something wholesome and delicious: bread to satisfy our stomachs.

In actual fact, both Temptations seek to destroy a relationship with God, our Creator, a God of compassion and mercy. The woman instead of trusting a loving and kind God, instead of trusting:

God’s wisdom

God’s command

God’s invitation to relationship,

shifts her eyes from the Creator to the creature. She looks at the tree. It was a tree to be desired, the fruit was pleasing to the eye. She makes her choice based on this. She sins. She looses her freedom.

Jesus on the other hand - does not turn to the creature: the stones, the kingdoms of the earth. Jesus keeps his focus on the Creator. - he concentrates on “every word that comes the Mouth of God.” He makes his choice. He wins. He is free to proclaim the Kingdom.

4.         Both sets of Temptations also try to attack the identity of the one Tempted. Man and woman were called to be a Son and a daughter of God . But they preferred relationship to a creature.  They sought a tree whose fruit was desirable because it would bring wisdom.

            Likewise the identity of Jesus is attacked. “If you are the Son of God” The temptations take place as we know soon after the Baptism of Jesus. During that Baptism, Jesus had saw the heavens open. Jesus heard God saying “YOU are my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus would not let his identity be attacked. Jesus would not focus on a creature, but on the Creator. Jesus would tell the Tempter. “Away with you Satan - God alone will be worshipped, and God alone will be served.”

5.         Wherever we are remember that every Temptation tries to rob you of two things.

 First - your identity as a Child of God.

 Secondly - your relationship with God, - a God who has made you in God’s image and likeness. Temptation tries to take you away from something real, authentic, wholesome - a God who is our creator. Temptation tries to lead you to something phony, fake and shadowy like a creature.

They say opportunity only knocks once, but Temptation has a habit of constantly pounding on our door. Another thing you will find, when you want to do good - there are a 100+1 obstacles. But when temptation rears its head there are 100+1 means readily available.

6.         So what can we do: -

      bring them into the light. Talk about them, speak to a wise person, speak to a spiritual director, a trusted friend.

Secondly trust in your firm relationship with God. You have been made special in baptism, strengthened in confirmation, nourished by the Eucharist - in facing temptation, who could ask for anything more.

Finally keep your eyes upon God. The first man and woman, looked away. They turned from their God to the tree, and they were trapped.

Temptation is no sin, just a flashing, warning sign on our Journey to God. God bless you all.