Beloved in Christ,
Jesus "was tempted by Satan" (Mk 1: 13). After John baptized him in the Jordan, the Spirit led Jesus to the desert, where he remained for forty days, praying and fasting. In the footsteps of Jesus, we are on a journey of forty days of Lent, observed in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It is a time of repentance and renewal. In the course of our spiritual exercises and throughout our post-baptismal life, we shall be tempted by Satan. Temptation comes from the enticement by Satan to go against the will of God by following our selfish desires. Temptation is a battle against Satan, the world, and the flesh. Why are we tempted? What should we do to fight the temptation to sin? We can draw answers to these questions from the example of the temptation of Jesus in the desert.
Why was Jesus tempted? St. Thomas Aquinas offers insights into why Christ needed to be tempted by Satan:
First, Jesus allowed himself to be tempted so that He might assist us against our own temptations. St. Gregory says that Jesus endured temptation to overcome our temptations by His own, "in the same way that He had come to overcome our death by His death."
Second, Jesus willed to be tempted to warn us that no one should think themself safe and free from temptation. As we see that it was after his baptism that he was tempted, we should expect to be a subject of the devil's temptation once we choose to walk the path of holiness. Anyone who embarks on a path of holiness should prepare their souls for temptation (Eccl. 2:1).
Third, Jesus' temptation offers us an example of how we should overcome the devil's temptations. Christ teaches us by his temptation the help and example of winning the battle against temptation to sin.
Fourth, Christ's temptation strengthens our minds with confidence in His mercy. As one who has been tempted, he knows our experience of weakness in the face of temptation, and as a result, he would have compassion on our infirmities (see Heb. 4: 15).
Lent, a time of spiritual reawakening or renewal, will be full of temptations to sin. If we are striving for growth in holiness, the devil will tempt us throughout our lifetime. We should not be discouraged because we have Jesus's example to guide us to victories over temptation. Let us observe the Lenten discipline of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and we shall experience a surge of renewal in the Spirit.
Just so you know, Thursday, February 22, is the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle, our parish patron saint. Please prioritize attending mass and adoration at 6 p.m. to celebrate and seek St. Peter's intercession. Our Church and the world need his intercession more than ever.
Happy Presidents' Day!
In Christ,
Fr. Bernard Alayode Oniwe, OP
Jesus "was tempted by Satan" (Mk 1: 13). After John baptized him in the Jordan, the Spirit led Jesus to the desert, where he remained for forty days, praying and fasting. In the footsteps of Jesus, we are on a journey of forty days of Lent, observed in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It is a time of repentance and renewal. In the course of our spiritual exercises and throughout our post-baptismal life, we shall be tempted by Satan. Temptation comes from the enticement by Satan to go against the will of God by following our selfish desires. Temptation is a battle against Satan, the world, and the flesh. Why are we tempted? What should we do to fight the temptation to sin? We can draw answers to these questions from the example of the temptation of Jesus in the desert.
Why was Jesus tempted? St. Thomas Aquinas offers insights into why Christ needed to be tempted by Satan:
First, Jesus allowed himself to be tempted so that He might assist us against our own temptations. St. Gregory says that Jesus endured temptation to overcome our temptations by His own, "in the same way that He had come to overcome our death by His death."
Second, Jesus willed to be tempted to warn us that no one should think themself safe and free from temptation. As we see that it was after his baptism that he was tempted, we should expect to be a subject of the devil's temptation once we choose to walk the path of holiness. Anyone who embarks on a path of holiness should prepare their souls for temptation (Eccl. 2:1).
Third, Jesus' temptation offers us an example of how we should overcome the devil's temptations. Christ teaches us by his temptation the help and example of winning the battle against temptation to sin.
Fourth, Christ's temptation strengthens our minds with confidence in His mercy. As one who has been tempted, he knows our experience of weakness in the face of temptation, and as a result, he would have compassion on our infirmities (see Heb. 4: 15).
Lent, a time of spiritual reawakening or renewal, will be full of temptations to sin. If we are striving for growth in holiness, the devil will tempt us throughout our lifetime. We should not be discouraged because we have Jesus's example to guide us to victories over temptation. Let us observe the Lenten discipline of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and we shall experience a surge of renewal in the Spirit.
Just so you know, Thursday, February 22, is the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle, our parish patron saint. Please prioritize attending mass and adoration at 6 p.m. to celebrate and seek St. Peter's intercession. Our Church and the world need his intercession more than ever.
Happy Presidents' Day!
In Christ,
Fr. Bernard Alayode Oniwe, OP
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