We all have demons we need to face

Reflection

The temptations of Jesus are not at all temptations to this or that sin but rather fundamental options which matter for the direction of his life. Jesus was tempted in the course of his ministry to choose other ways of being God’s prophet, the Messiah or anointed one. In a less obvious way, we too can be attracted by choices which can shape the way our life unfolds. We ask ourselves, what do I live on? What’s my true goal? Where is my nourishment? The human, no less than the Kingdom, is more than food and drink. Only the Word of God truly nourishes and illuminates.

Reading

Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Psalm 51 (50); Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

Meditation (Matthew 4:1-11)

In today’s gospel Jesus is enticed to gratify his own needs, or to perform some spectacular act in public. He rejects the temptation because he chooses commitment to his mission and dependence on his Father over any immediate gratification. We can all be tempted to go for some immediate satisfaction...but is that where true happiness lies? Have you found that sometimes it can be more life-giving to say “no” to your immediate desires for the sake of some long-term goal? What are the goals, aims, values, which inspire you in this way?

One way of looking at this gospel is to say that Jesus went into the desert to face his demons. We all have demons we need to face—compulsions, fears, prejudices, anger, and urges that lurk within. It is in facing our demons that we find a way to live a fuller life. Can you recall a time when you grew through facing a “demon” in this way?