5 March 2017 - free to love

[ Today's Readings ]

We read about Adam and Eve and we wonder what the tree is doing in the middle of the garden if they aren't supposed to eat from it. Why is Satan there and able to tempt them in what is otherwise a paradise? But these suspicions stem from darkened minds. God is not trying to trick us or trap us.

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert
to be tempted by the devil.

In the face of temptation we can choose obedience. We can choose to love God more than all things.  We don't always choose this but we always can. We are never tempted beyond our means.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (see First Corinthians 10:13).

Jesus chooses to obey where Adam fails. From his obedience we receive the grace of God that can make us righteous as well. He is tempted, not because there is any possibility of him disobeying, but so that he can give us his own obedience in the face of our temptations and trials. He can be with us and help us.

Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted (see Hebrews 2:18).

We need not despair in the face of our temptation. If we remain united to Christ we are already victorious.

 If in Christ we have been tempted, in him we overcome the devil. Do you think only of Christ’s temptations and fail to think of his victory? See yourself as tempted in him, and see yourself as victorious in him. He could have kept the devil from himself; but if he were not tempted he could not teach you how to triumph over temptation.
 - Saint Augustine

Let us choose to love God in the face of temptations. Let us unite ourselves with Jesus whose obedience is invincible and victorious. When we do we ourselves shall experience the strength of the angels ministering to us.

 Then the devil left him and, behold,
angels came and ministered to him.