March 5, 2016 - Saturday

The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.”
He said in reply, “It is written:
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:3-4 NABRE)

Even Jesus was tempted. Remembering how he responded to temptation gives us a powerful example we can use.

First, Jesus fasted during his time of desert trials. He denied himself food as a means of strengthening himself spiritually by denying the strong physical desire for food. When we fast, we deliberately work to overcome the physical demands of our bodies, even in small ways, so that we might become more like Jesus, gain more self-control, and be more mindful of our spiritual selves. Fasting is a powerful aid to our prayers.

Second, Jesus quoted scripture in the face of each temptation. Each time, he began with the phrase, "It is written." When he was tempted in today's passage to eat during his fast, he quoted from the book of Deuteronomy (8:3). Knowing and referring to scripture during moments of temptation is a powerful way to subdue the one who tempts us.

And so, during this Lent, let us model ourselves after Jesus. Let us fast deliberately to strengthen ourselves and enhance our prayers. And whenever we are tempted, let us speak up to the tempter, by quoting God's Word.

Remember the promise Saint Paul made to the Corinthians when he wrote, "No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10-13)

And don't be discouraged when you fail! That feeling of discouragement is little more than another temptation! It's a distraction from what matters! When we fail, we ask for the mercy Jesus promised to us. And we have the Sacrament of Penance which is our most complete experience of the gift of God's boundless mercy.


Today, I will spend some time considering the specific ways I am tempted, search God's Word for my scriptural responses, and memorize them to prepare myself.


Saint John Joseph of the Cross, whose life shows us that self-denial is never an end in itself but is only a help toward greater charity, pray for us.