Fr. Richard OMOLADE

The first Sunday of Lent is usually devoted to reflection on the temptations of Jesus. The Gospels paint for us vivid scenes of the three temptations. It is crystal clear that the devil was out to get Jesus and he tried his best to no avail.  Jesus, the God-Man was not spared the rigours and inconvenience of temptation. Christians today, cannot expect to be spared. If we walk like Christ and face the temptations that come our way, then the Devil will also be defeated, and we will share in God’s victory. Christians cannot live without facing temptation.  This realization should lead us to prepare ourselves.

It has been said that “people don’t plan to fail, but they failed to plan.” In the same way, we don’t plan to fall into temptation, but we just do not have an escape plan. Hence when temptations come, for lack of strength and direction, many fall. In the temptations of Jesus, we see the necessity of preparation. It is clear that Jesus was well schooled in the Word of God.  He knew the scriptures and He used its message to great effect. Jesus could be found quoting the scripture to remind the Devil that “Man does not live by bread alone.”  Man, indeed, is made for something far more important than mere bread that will soon decay.  No wonder Benedict XVI in the first Volume Jesus of Nazareth quoted the  German Jesuit Alfred Delp as saying “Bread is important, freedom is more important, but most important of all is unbroken fidelity and faithful adoration.” We should hunger for God, not materials things.  How do we prepare for the temptations of the appetite? Our desires beg to be satisfied, with food, drink, other pleasures and even with rest. Jesus chose not to listen to the dictates of the Devil; he chose to live in the spirit rather than succumb to the desires of the flesh. Hence, bread could no longer satisfy Him, only God and He was not disappointed. What value guides your life? If it is not God, then you have not found the treasure of great value.

The next temptation according to Matthew is the one for spectacle. We love to see spectacular events; we want to be associated with extraordinary things and the devil asked Jesus to take the plunge and that he would not be hurt. Yes, He is God and he who created out of nothing must know how to fly above every obstacles. This temptation was a doable request that could have been performed even beyond the imagination of the onlooker including the Devil himself. But Jesus knows the devil too well and would not give him a chance to gloat. God’s power is not for theatrics but for redemption. There is no need for God to prove anything. Just like that, the Devil’s ego to boast was deflated. “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Are people not still doing the same? They do this when they asked for signs before they believe, whereas faith is to believe without doubting what God had revealed because he cannot deceive or be deceived.

There is also the temptation to material accumulation. We want to be seen to be rich, we want to throw lavish parties, spend money as if there is no tomorrow. Owing to this, many are ready to do whatever it takes to get money. This is a dangerous enterprise. The devil does not give you something without taking something from you. The Devil promised to give the kingdoms of the world but demands that he be worshipped. Things have not changed much today, in fact, he may take much more than he has given you. It is thus imperative that we remember that we are human beings. Our life has worth only in God. It is not the material things of life that confer on us our dignity and worth, it is God. We should therefore listen to God rather than the false promises of fleeting wealth. The last temptation of Jesus is the one that tests our sense of vanity. Who does not want thirty billions in the account?  But have you forgotten the saying that “If you give the devil a rise, he will soon become the driver and lead you along that path you would rather not go? What’s your survival plan out of this mess?

God is the saviour of His people, we must therefore go to Him, listen to Him and follow His instructions.  We must meditate on His word and all the scripture to be the guide for our path and lead us along the path of life. We must also recognize the fact that we are weak and alone we are helpless. Hence, we must make prayer our rule of life, constantly surrendering ourselves to God in prayer and allowing it to shield us from the darts of our soul’s enemies.  The battle is not for the faint hearted, but those who are prepared through the grace of God will survive, and triumph. Happy Lent!