March 9, 2025

1^stSunday of Lent (C)

Temptations: What they Are and What to Do

Msgr Thomas Gervasio

As we begin this first full week of Lent, the Gospel takes us to the desert of Our Lord’s temptations. No one accompanied him there, so how could the evangelists recount what happened there? Scholars agree that Jesus would surely have spoken about this intense experience to his apostles. It had to come from his own lips.
 
That Our Lord was tempted is a consoling truth for us. Here we see Jesus entering into the drama of human existence so that he might be in solidarity with us. As the Letter to the Hebrews says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses but one who has been tempted in every way, but without sin.”
 
No one is immune from temptation. We face all kinds of temptations: to drive too fast; to leave Mass before it ends; to eat or drink too much, to gossip, to show off, to cut corners at work. Let’s not even get into the temptations that arise at this time of the year when we are preparing our taxes!
 
We should know three things about temptations.
 
A temptation is simply an attraction or enticement. We more often view it as an invitation to do something wrong or sinful. But temptations can also be enticements to do good. For example, you might be tempted at this very moment to donate $1000 to the parish. Not a bad thing! So, this brings us to the second thing we should know:
 
Not all temptations are sinful otherwise we would have to call Jesus as sinner. A temptation to do something wrong is only sinful when we succumb to it. Adam and Eve’s sin was not that they were tempted but that they succumbed to the temptation. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “God does not punish people for what they would have done, but for what they do.” Bishop Sheen said, “You are not tempted because you are evil, you are tempted because you are human.”
 
The third observation we can make is that temptations to do wrong do not come from God. They may come from the devil, but it would be wrong to think that all temptations are demonic.
 
Most temptations come from the world around us or from deep seated forces within us—our imperfectly controlled passions connected to the capital sins—envy, pride, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, and sloth.
 
How do we resist temptations to do wrong or sin? Again, I’d suggest three ways:
 
Do not stay or linger with the temptation. We can sail too close to sin thinking, “I’m strong, I can be good. I can resist.” The devil seizes upon such moments. Let’s not give him room to maneuver! We have to avoid those people, things, or situations that trigger temptations and lead us to sin.
 
Prayer, the Eucharist, and Confession are grace-filled supports to strengthen our resolve to combat temptations to sin.
 
The third help is to keep active and to cultivate healthy relationships and hobbies. There is truth in the old adage: “Idleness is the devil’s workshop.”
 
Temptations are a struggle but we should not allow ourselves to become anxious or discouraged.
 
Merciful Father, when faced with temptation, I am often confused and foolish, and through my immaturity, I make the situation worse. Give me the wisdom to avoid compromising situations. You tell me to watch and pray so that I will not fall into temptation. Give me clarity of thought so I recognize the occasions of sin in time to escape them so that I may be drawn ever closer to you.