DAILY MEDITATION: “The Spirit drove him out into the desert, and tempted by Satan”

Liturgical day: First Sunday of Lent (B)

Gospel text (Mk 1,12-15): At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

“The Spirit drove him out into the desert, and tempted by Satan”

Fr. Joan MARQUÉS i Suriñach
(Vilamarí, Girona, Spain)

Today, the Church celebrates the liturgy of the First Sunday of Lent. The Gospel presents Jesus preparing for His public life. He goes into the desert where He spends forty days in prayer and penance. There, He is tempted by Satan.

We must prepare ourselves for Easter. Satan is our great enemy. There are people who do not believe in him, saying he is a product of our imagination, or that he represents evil in the abstract, diluted among people and in the world. Not so!

The Holy Scriptures speaks of him many times as a spiritual and concrete being. He is a fallen angel. Jesus defines him by saying: "He is a liar and the father of lies" (Jn 8, 44). Saint Peter compares him to a roaring lion: " Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith" (1 Pet 5:8). And Saint Paul VI teaches: "The Devil is the number one enemy, the preeminent tempter. So we know that this dark disturbing being exists and that he is still at work with his treacherous cunning."

How? By lying, deceiving. Where there is a lie or deceit, there is diabolic action. "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist" (Baudelaire). And how does he lie? He presents evil actions as if they were good; he stimulates us to do bad deeds; and, finally, he suggests reasons to justify sins. After deceiving us, he fills us with restlessness and sadness. Have you not experienced this?

What should our attitude be toward temptation? Before: watch, pray, and avoid occasions. During: direct or indirect resistance. After: if you have overcome, give thanks to God. If you have not overcome, ask for forgiveness and gain experience. What has been your attitude so far?

The Virgin Mary crushed the infernal serpent's head. May She give us the strength to overcome daily temptations.

Source: evangeli.net