For most of us, the first Bible story we ever heard was Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. And while we want to concentrate on the Gospel, that story is a great lead-in to the Gospel. Whether you believe the account of Adam and Eve literally or figuratively, their sin is the reason Jesus came to earth to be like us. If it were not for sin, the whole salvation story would not exist. So, the story sets the stage for this season of Lent leading to Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
On the first Sunday of Lent we heard about about Jesus going into the desert for 40 days. Our 40 days have begun as well. This year our theme for Lent is From These Ashes. One week ago today, we were reminded of our own mortality; we were reminded of death in the world through receiving ashes on our forehead. Lent is our time of personal reflection but also an opportunity to extend our hand and ask Jesus to pull us out of the ashes of sin and death, selfishness and pride.
Jesus spent forty days and nights in prayer and fasting in a lonely place. It kind of reminds me of a silent retreat? It’s tough, if not impossible, to remain silent and alone for 2-3 days. Some people have to talk to themselves to keep their sanity. So why such a lengthy period of time for Jesus? Well, during that time we hear about Jesus being tempted by the devil just like Adam and Eve. We’ve actually heard that story so many times that I doubt that we could actually recite the three temptations that Jesus faced.
The word “tempt” in English usually means to entice to sin. But it also means “test” in the sense of preparing someone to see if they are ready for the task at hand. We test pilots to see that they are fit to fly. Likewise, God tests his servants to see if they are fit to be used by him. God tested Abraham to prove his faith. The Israelites were sorely tested in Egypt before God delivered them from their enemies. Jesus was no exception to this testing.
In our lives, Satan will surely tempt us and will try his best to get us to choose our will over God’s will. If he can’t make us renounce our faith or to sin mortally, he will then try to get us to make choices that will lead us, little by little, away from what God wants for us. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, he did not try to fight with human strength. He relied on the power that the Spirit gave him. Jesus’ mission, his reason for becoming man, was both to be an example to us and to defeat the devil. His willingness to embrace the cross reversed the curse of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. So, how can we overcome sin in our personal lives?
Jesus gave us his Holy Spirit, as well, to be our strength in times of temptation and testing. The question is: Do we rely on that offer of help or do we try and go it alone? We have the greatest opportunity laid at our feet over these this Lenten Season. There are multiple opportunities here from personal prayer time to Stations of the Cross, to Holy Hours to the Lenten Reconciliation service, to daily Mass to make this Lent a special one. Instead of giving up something, take advantage of what is being given to you so on
Easter Sunday you can rise from the ashes with Jesus.