On this First Sunday of Lent, we hear Matthew’s version of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. After He has been baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert, where He is tempted by the devil for 40 days. Jesus faces three fundamental temptations that are experienced by all people in all times and places: to pursue pleasure, pride, and power apart from the will and plan of God the Father. Jesus experiences these temptations as deeply as any other human being, ultimately choosing to unite His will to that of His Father.
As we enter into this first full week of Lent, our goal is not merely to accumulate a daily list of sins avoided and holy actions taken, but to understand more honestly and deeply the dynamics of our decisions. In what ways do I pursue pleasure apart from the truth of God? In what ways do I place myself at the center of reality (pride), giving in to this temptation rather than seeking the way of God, who is the center of reality? How do I pursue power on terms other than God’s in my daily choices? The more we understand the dynamics behind our choices, the more we understand ourselves, and the greater our ability to make longer-term decisions of true conversion. In the week ahead, pray for the grace to be more attentive to the ways in which you respond the temptations of pursuing pleasure, pride, and power apart from the will, truth, and plan of God.
