Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Book 1 Chapter 13: On Resisting Temptation

 

“We should always be on guard against temptations, always praying that our enemy, the devil, who never sleeps but constantly looks for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), will not catch us off guard.”

 

What is temptation but that nagging voice that leads us to do wrong. It cannot not force us, but only lure us. Temptation begins as a simple thought in our mind, “followed by strong imaginings, then pleasure and evil emotions, and finally consent.” Christ tells us that sin begins in the heart not in the action.  If we think about doing it, we have already committed the sin.  Temptation is that voice in our head that causes conflict in our heart. It is allowed to enter our mind due to a lack of trust in God.  The devil convinces us with half-truths that what we are doing is good and will make us happy. To defeat temptation, we must submit ourselves to God, for it is the humble and submissive that He will save and exalt (Psalms 34:19).  However, we must remember that temptations are not all bad.  If you can resist them, they will strengthen you and bring you closer to Christ.  There is nowhere on earth that you can go that you will not encounter temptation.  Likewise, there is no one who is born free of temptations, not even Mary the Mother of God. Even Jesus was tempted. This is due to the weakness of our fallen nature.  There is only one person who can help free us and protect us from temptation and that is God.  It is through the trials and temptations that your “spiritual progress is tested”.  When we defeat temptations, then we grow spiritually.  Even the Saints had to endure temptations.  The most holy of people were tempted.  While some people are even protected from grave temptations, they still experience some small temptations to help keep them humble and submissive to God.  Saint Teresa of Avila stated that her sin was that brief moment, that few seconds during the day that she would stop thinking of God.  This was her temptation and her sin.  It was this that she had to defend her soul.  Oh how I wish this was my only temptation.  Temptation is not the same for everyone.  Some of us experience great temptations while it appears that some might only experience little temptations.  Some are tempted during their early journey to Christ while others later in their conversion. Some even have temptation everyday of their lives. “We should not be discouraged when tempted, but turn in fervent prayer to God, Who, in His infinite goodness and compassion, will help us in all our needs.” Why else would we be allowed to be tempted?  When we defeat temptation, we should turn and thank God for giving us the grace.  It is recognizing that He is the strength that we will grow closer to God.  It is in giving Him thanks that we humble ourselves to His mercy and His love.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

God:

Temptation is everywhere in the world.

It is only by your grace that I can conquer temptation.

Strengthen me with the armor of Saint Michael to defeat temptation before it begins.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon