The first Sunday of lent always presents the temptation of Jesus as the theme. Why? Because temptation to sin is a foundational, moral, and spiritual reality for each and every single person upon the Earth. Our Catholic teaching makes it clear that we are created by God, basically good, but inclined toward evil. In other words, God loves us, yet He made us, free to choose to follow him or not; to be good or bad, loving or sinful.

I know the truth is that a temptation is neither good nor bad; it is morally neutral. Jesus was like us in all things, but sin. He was tempted, but never sinned. Temptations in and of themselves are neutral. God allows temptations, but never allows us to be tempted greater than our ability to resist the temptation. He all also always provides for a way out. So the victory is ours if we choose to resist a particular temptation. God gives us the victory in Him, and His grace will always be sufficient for us!

We can be tempted in various ways. Some temptations come to us in our minds as a battle – “do it, don’t do it”! We simply have to reason through it. Many temptations come to us through our flesh - lust. On these occasions, we need to turn to prayer, the Saint Michael prayer, or distract ourselves away from such urges. We also need to take custody of our eyes (guard what you see), and stay away from near occasions of sin (never place yourself in harms way).

The world can also tempt us with greed, power, gluttony, and pride. These temptations, when indulged, mostly end up, hurting, using, or abusing others by our actions, failures to act, or with unkind words and actions. All temptations are the result of our free will, which can be used or misused, according to our level of faith, knowledge of God, capacity to love, and a proper identity of self, which admits that we are all children of the living God.

So, when tempted, turn to God in prayer, rebuke, the devil or the urge, and stand convinced that God is pouring on you His grace and His mercy if you fall! Remember, God has built us to win and the victory is ours through Christ Jesus, King and Victor of the whole universe!