The fact that Jesus was tempted tells us that it is not a sin to be subject to temptation since: "For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, be we have one who in every respect has been tested, as we are, yet without sin." (Heb 4: 15) The nature of those temptations: the appetites, worldly power and glory, and fame through wonder working, are evident in human history and our society today. One only needs to peruse social media and television to see that human nature has not changed in all this time. If anything, with the developments in technology and communications, these things have become even more immediate and sometimes destructive as we see in the power of narcotics. Sometimes we are so inured to our harmful habits we become blind to the temptations which are dangled before our eyes by advertisers or other purveyors of products for sensual gratification. The remedy, however, to these temptations remains the same - the Word of God. Jesus responds to the enticements of the devil by replying on Scripture and its saving message which instructs us to: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him." (Lk 4: 8) By observing Lent we shine the light of God's Word on our lives so that we may master our petty and insidious idolatries. In this way we are enabled to serve God more fully. It is only in this servitude that we find true freedom.
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