Lent: Living the 40 Days as Catholics, tackling temptation

The 40 days of Lent recall the 40 days of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness (Mt 4:1-11, Mk 1:12-13, Lk 4:1-13). The story of Jesus’ time in the desert is always read on the first Sunday of Lent as a reminder that we are each called to explore our own temptations and the deserts within us that allow them to flourish.

The Gospels tell us that Jesus, led by the Spirit into the desert, prayed, fasted, and overcame the temptations of the devil. It is in the wake of this desert experience that he begins his public ministry. The same is true for us. Throughout the season of Lent, the Spirit calls us to face the devil’s influence in our lives and to turn away from sin. The temptations that Jesus faces in the desert are those that many of us struggle with every day: materialism, ego, and power.

The First Temptation: Materialism

The Gospel of Luke tells us that it is at the end of his 40 days of fasting in the desert that the devil approaches him. The devil said to him, “If you are the son of God, command these stones to become bread (Lk 4:3).

What is the real temptation here? Jesus is hungry and clearly has the power to work this miracle. But bread represents earthly goods, and Jesus knows that his hunger can be satisfied by God alone.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus does not condemn the material goods that we need to survive and thrive as human persons; rather, he challenges us to give up those “things” that keep us from being faithful to God. We are children of God, and in God is the fullness of our identity. When the rich official approaches Jesus in Luke 18:18, Jesus tells him everything that he must do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus reminds him to keep the commandments, the man insists that he has done so for his entire life. But what Jesus knows about this man is that his heart is set on something other than God. So Jesus tells him, “Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The Gospels tell us that the rich official, clearly dismayed by this advice, “went away sad.”

For Reflection
— What are the “things” in my life that keep me from giving my whole self — body, mind and spirit — to God?
— What value do I place on material goods?
— Is it difficult for me to share what I have been given with people who are less fortunate?

The Second Temptation: Power

Next, the devil brings Jesus up and shows him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The tempter promises that Jesus will be the ruler of everything in the land, if he would only prostrate himself in worship. Jesus replies, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.”

This temptation gets to the heart of who Jesus is as Messiah. He did not come to have power over the kingdoms of the earth even though, because of his divinity, he could assume it. Jesus does not set out to rule the world or gather power for himself. Rather, he comes to serve his flock through preaching, teaching, and healing. And Jesus knows that he must suffer. When he asks his apostles in Mark 8:29, “Who do you say that I am?” — Peter replies that Jesus is the Messiah. Then, Jesus begins to teach them that the Son of Man must be rejected and killed, but Peter cannot believe this notion of Messiah. So Jesus rebukes him with the words, “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” In essence, Peter is limiting Jesus’ role as Messiah to a powerful leader, while Jesus understands that he must endure great suffering in sacrifice for all.

For Reflection
— Am I responsible with my power as a parent, grandparent, manager, friend, spouse and colleague?
— Do I try to gain power for myself at the expense of others?
— Do I resent my own suffering?

The Third Temptation: Ego

Finally, the Gospel of Luke goes on to tell us that Jesus is brought to Jerusalem, made to stand on the parapet of the temple, and taunted to “throw himself down” to prove that he is the Son of God. Jesus tells the tempter that the Lord God is not to be put to the test. In other words, Jesus does not have to prove who he is or why he is on earth through miraculous shows of strength or dazzling deeds. He has no need to puff up his own ego. Jesus does not need fame.

Throughout the Gospels, we read of Jesus’ healings; he even raises Lazarus from the dead! But in not one of these instances do we read that Jesus healed a single person out of pride or ego. He is simply carrying out his mission on earth — to fulfill the coming of the reign of God. Jesus approaches his many miracles with great humility. In Mark 5:24-34, a woman with a hemorrhage reaches out and touches his cloak and is healed immediately. The Gospel says that Jesus begins to look around for who touched his cloak “because he felt the power was drained out of him.” When the woman comes forward, Jesus actually gives her the responsibility for her own healing. He says, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

For Reflection
— Am I overly concerned with how other people view me, longing for fame and recognition of my gifts and talents?
— Do I put myself and my own needs in front of others?
— Does my love of self get in the way of my love of God?

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance, a season for reflection and taking stock of the patterns of sin in our lives. Lent also is a time of preparation. We journey into the desert for 40 days to face our temptations and prepare our hearts for a new way of being.

Featured image: Christ in the Wilderness by Ivan Kramskoy, 1872