Dominica IX post Pentecosten - The Struggle against Temptation

PRESENTATION: Temptation is Inevitable

In the passage given to us in today’s Epistle, St. Paul concludes a lengthy passage warning the Corinthians against serving false gods. He gives numerous warnings from the history of Israel, perhaps not as easily recognized by those of us less familiar with his references. He alludes to the worship of the golden calf, the worship of the Baal of Peor, and the people’s worship of their own stomachs when they complained about the Manna in the desert.

St. Paul points out to his readers that these events were recorded for future generations for our instruction so that we would not fall into similar temptations.

Every Christian knows what it is to suffer from temptation, that attraction, either from outside oneself or from within, to act contrary to right reason and the commandments of God, as the Catechism defines it. Temptation is inevitable, but giving in to temptation is not. At the end of his warning, St. Paul offers words of consolation and hope, reminding us that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength, and will give us the grace to endure.

In his second to last Angelus address as pope, the late Pope Benedict offer this insight:

“Man is never wholly free from temptation… but with patience and true humility we become stronger than any enemy. The patience and humility required to defeat the enemy come by following Christ every day and from learning to build our life not outside of him or as if he did not exist, but in him and with him, because he is the source of true life. In contrast to this is the temptation to remove God, to order our lives and the world on our own, relying solely on our own abilities. This is why in Jesus God speaks to man in an unexpected way, with a unique and concrete closeness, full of love, because God has now become incarnate and enters the world of man to take sin upon himself, to overcome evil and bring man back into the world of God.”

EXPLANATION: St. Antony in Temptation

When the great St. Antony left the world to serve God in the desert, and to labour to save his soul, the Devil used to assault him with many temptations. Not only did he tempt him, but he sometimes used to appear in various ugly shapes to frighten him.

One day, after tempting him in various ways, and being repulsed every time, he became so enraged that he even assaulted him with blows, and tormented him in a way similar to what he had done to Job in former times.

Before he left him, Antony was covered with wounds and bruises.

Suddenly there appeared in his cell a great brightness, and immediately Satan, with his wicked angels disappeared. Then St. Antony knew that Our Lord Himself had come to visit him.

“O my good Jesus,” said St. Antony lovingly, “where wert Thou, where wert Thou? Why didst Thou not come before now to drive Satan away, and to keep him from hurting me?”

To this loving complaint, Our Lord answered, “Antony, I was here beside you, and I saw all your conflict. It was with My permission that you were wounded that I might heal you, that you were afflicted that I might comfort you. Like a good soldier, you have fought well. Never be afraid of your enemies, but fight them bravely, for I am always near to help you.”

With these words, St. Antony was greatly comforted. Our Lord also healed his wounds and filled his soul with a sweet peace.

IMPLICATION: The Usefulness of Temptations

God does not tempt us directly, but He allows our spiritual enemies to do so, at the same time giving us the graces necessary to resist.

By allowing us to be tempted, God gives us the opportunity to merit heaven. Of course, eternal life is God’s pure gift, and there is nothing we can do to earn it for ourselves. Nevertheless, God has willed that we should work to merit heaven as a reward for the good works we perform and the obstacles we overcome.

God allows us to be tempted as a means of purification as well. It reminds us that through our lack of vigilance and effort, we have fallen in the past, affording us occasions for contrition and penance. At the same time, it obliges us to put forth serious and sustained efforts so that we will not fall again.

Temptation is also an instrument of spiritual progress. It is like that jab that wakes us up when we are becoming complacent. It is a school of humility by forcing us to recognize our own weaknesses, and it is a school of divine love as we throw ourselves into God’s arms seeking his grace and strength.

It is inevitable that temptations will come our way, but if we rely on God’s grace, it is not inevitable that they will conquer us. If we fight with fortitude, we can make the Devil’s temptations into occasions of glory for God, and holiness for us.

As we receive Our Blessed Lord today in Holy Communion, let us ask for the grace to resist temptation, to put the Devil to flight, and to become the saints God intends us to be.