Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
The battle here described by Matthew did not have the scope of the D Day invasion of France. Nor was it as well known as the duel between Hamilton and Burr, mostly because there were no outside observers. St. Matthew, I presume, had the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to record the truly significant battle between the “father of lies” and the total Truth, as the devil set about tempting Jesus our Lord. It was unique and consequential for all human history. Along the way, we can derive encouragement for our personal battles and struggles.
As we reread the well-known gospel, there is a certain tension we can almost feel. Satan displays his complete knowledge of what “makes us tick.” He knows precisely where our weaknesses lie as he confronts Our Lord with the top three temptations, we all face: fame, power, and wealth. That is a helpful reminder to us of what we have to tackle so often in life, at different seasons, and wearing different disguises. L. “takes off the gloves” as it were, and if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit our helplessness without the help of our powerful and loving Lord to be victorious.
Who among us potential saints have not been profoundly grateful for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Penance, as it was formerly known?
Genesis is blunt about our origin. Corinthians posits our backup in describing Christ’s obedience. We know Jesus was and is “like us in all things…but sin.” That guarantees comfort. That is the sendoff for the next 6 weeks. It is a challenge sent our way to be as . per” as we can be in our courage and effort.
During World War II, when the Nazi were in almost every country of Europe, King Christian of Denmark stubbornly resisted the Nazis. His country was quite insignificant compared to powerful Germany, and the king knew he could not win on the battlefield, but he put up a valiant moral struggle.
One day he observed a Nazi flag flying above one of his public buildings. He reminded the German commander that this was contrary to the treaty between the two nations, and said, “The flag must be removed before twelve o’clock. Otherwise, I will send a soldier to remove it.” At five minutes before noon, the flag was still flying, and the king announced that he was sending a soldier to take it down. “The soldier will be shot,” the Nazi officer said. Then King Charles calmly said, “I think I should tell you that I will be that soldier.”
God love you and help you have a good Lent.
Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary
Reading I: Genesis 2: 7-9,3:1-7
God creates man from the dust of the earth. He then places him in a beautiful garden. In that garden, midst every other feature, there are two significant trees: One the tree of life, the other the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eventually man succumbs to the devil’s lure about the latter tree.
Reading II: Romans 5: 12-19, or 5:12, 17-19
St. Paul tells us that sin invaded the world through Adam. And death came as a consequence. But the obedience of one man, “the New Adam,” Jesus Christ, will save many for their belief in Him.
The Gospel: Matthew 4: 1-11
We go back a chapter from the previous two weeks to read the dramatic story of Jesus’ temptations. They involve three of our own common temptations and so we are encouraged by Jesus’ triumph over them and the fact that He never sinned. This last would be impossible for an all-good God.
But we marvel at His strength.