Tempted to Delver us from Evil: Gen 9:8-15 1 Pt 3:18-22 Mk 1:12-15 (B Lent 1)

Tempted to Delver us from Evil

Gen 9:8-15 1 Pt 3:18-22 Mk 1:12-15 (B Lent 1)

“..if he were not tempted he could not teach you how to triumph over temptation”

 

The number forty has very much importance and used many times in the Bible. At the time of Noah, it rained for forty days and forty nights. Moses lived forty years in Egypt being prepared to experience God in the Burning Bush. He spent forty nights on Mt. Sinai before receiving the Commandments. Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. The prophet Elijah journeyed in the desert for 40 days and nights on his way to Horeb. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert. After his death, resurrection and ascension the apostles spent forty days in prayer before they received the Holy Spirit. Remembering the significance of these events, the Church also set aside 40 days for the season of Lent.

Today's Gospel reading from Mark states that the Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days to confront the temptations. The Evangelists Luke and Mathew say that Jesu “was led by the Spirit”. Reflecting upon the teachings of St Paul to Hebrews, St Augustine says that Christ was tempted by the devil. In making all of us with him he chose to be tempted by Satan. He suffered temptations, insults, death, in our nature because he shared our nature. But gained victory by his own power (4:15; 2:18).

From these reflections we learn that the design of Christ's mission to mankind is to be a perfect example for our imitation in his life. He was tempted, in order that he might be an example to us when called to encounter temptation.

There are three powerful principles of human nature, of which Satan takes advantage, and to which he adapts his temptations. These principles are “the lust of the flesh” (change stones into bread), “the lust of the eyes” (panoramic view of all the kingdoms of the world), and “the pride of life”. The spirit rules in man over body and soul, and so liability to pride opens the way to temptation. By means of these Satan tempted the first Adam, but Jesus succeeded to set us example to win over poverty, power, and pride.

The desert marks beginning of Jesus’ battle with Satan. The ultimate test will be in Jesus’ final hours on the cross. In a similar way, our Lenten observances are only a beginning, a preparation for and a reinforcement of our ongoing struggle to resist the temptations we face in our lives. To prepare for Easter we spend forty days confronting temptation. Temptations are difficult to overcome. During Lent, we are led by the Holy Spirit to remember the vows of Baptism in which we promised to reject sin and to follow Jesus. In the Sacred Scripture, the number “40” signifies new life, new growth, transformation, a change from old to new. May this lent bring us new life in Christ crucified.

   “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food”