This week's readings Week of Feb. 17 - 23 Sunday, February 17, 2002 Reading I: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Reading II: Romans 5:12-19 Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 Monday, February 18, 2002 Reading I: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 Tuesday, February 19, 2002 Reading I: Isaiah 55:10-11 Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15 Wednesday, February 20, 2002 Reading I: Jonah 3:1-10 Gospel: Luke 11:29-32 Thursday, February 21, 2002 Reading I: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12 Friday, February 22, 2002 Reading I: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19 Saturday, February 23, 2002 Reading I: Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48 Pope's Prayer Intentions February General Intention Leadership by Catholic hospitals in defending human life and dignity: That Catholic hospitals may stand out in relieving suffering and proclaiming the Gospel of life and respect for every person. February Mission Intention Vocations in Cambodia and Laos: That the Christians of Cambodia and Laos may promote priestly and religious vocations with intensified devotion.

Temptation:

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

The two most important scenes of the temptation of a human being by the devil occur in the Bible.

The first, in the Book of Genesis, shows the serpent tempting Eve and Adam to eat the fruit forbidden by God. The second, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, shows the devil tempting Jesus after his fast of 40 days and nights in the desert.

Several aspects of these two temptation scenes are important. First, the tempting is done in isolation; Eve is alone when the serpent approaches; Jesus, too, is by himself in the desert. The support of a community which might help fend off the tempter is lacking.

Readings for First Sunday of Lent (Feb. 17) Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Psalm 51 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11

Second, the tempter comes with knowledge. The serpent knows ahead of time the stipulations God has laid out in the garden of Eden. The devil in the desert knows enough Scripture to suspect Jesus' identity as the Son of God, and uses that knowledge in his temptation.

Third, the tempter asks questions, or raises questions in the minds of those he tempts. The serpent asks Eve, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees of the garden?" The devil tells Jesus, "If you are the Son of God . . .", almost questioning if Jesus knows who he is.

Fourth, the serpent in the garden and the devil in the desert mix lies with the truth.

Eve corrects the serpent, telling him that it is only one tree they may not touch, or they will die. "You certainly will not die!" replies the serpent. At least not today, is the rest of the story which he omits. Too late, after eating the fruit, do Adam and Eve realize they have been deceived.

The devil tempts Jesus by cleverly quoting Scripture out of context, and ending up with the ultimate lie: that he will give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus falls down and worships the devil. The devil offers what he cannot give; that's one lie. He invites Jesus to worship him, another lie -- one of idolatry.

Fifth, the identity of serpent, known to the reader, is not known to Eve. But Jesus clearly knows that it is the devil testing him. The serpent is able to trick Eve because she does not know him, but the devil cannot fool Jesus who knows all about him.

Finally, the outcomes of these two scenes of temptation are related. Adam and Eve believe the serpent rather than God, and they give in to temptation. They commit the original sin. Jesus refutes the devil's cunning words always by referring to God - the words from God's mouth, not putting God to the test, and only worshiping and serving God alone. He who is without sin is the one who can free all people from sin.

Adam and Eve were outsmarted by the serpent because they didn't rely on God. Jesus outsmarts the devil because he relies on God and always obeys God's will. Temptation is a mechanism of deception to which Adam and Eve fell, but through which Jesus saw very clearly.

During the season of Lent, as in all seasons of the secular and Church year, we too are tempted every day. Sometimes the temptations are big ones, other times small ones. They all share in common these aspects illustrated in the Scriptures.

When we are tempted, often we are alone, either by accident or by choosing. We may be absolutely alone, or with another person who presents some temptation. The community of the Church which could support and strengthen us is often not part of our calculation.

When we are tempted, knowledge plays a huge part. Perhaps we know something we are tempted to do is wrong, and thus sinful, and we choose to ignore that knowledge. Perhaps we don't know, but we suspect.

When we are tempted, questions come up. "This is all right for me to do, isn't it?" We try to rationalize. When we are tempted, lies mixed with the truth try to persuade us. "New clothes are good, so I'll steal some." Often the knowledge present in our temptation and the lies which accompany it are way out of context, as part of our rationalization.

When we are tempted, our eyes are closed as to the real source of the temptation. It's not sex or drugs, it's not alcohol or wealth, it's not our reputation or our pride; these are only occasions or tools. When we are tempted we allow our will to be manipulated by the power, the presence, the glamour of evil.

When we are tempted, we often give in, but we don't have to. Jesus didn't give in, and he teaches us how to defeat temptation. Rely on God. Trust in his word. Believe what he says. Pray and worship God in the midst of temptation. Obey his holy will.

We need not be outsmarted by the temptations which come up every day, if we will follow Jesus and allow the power of his love to protect us. Let our observance of Lent be a time to more clearly follow the Lord and obey him, so that temptation and its deception may not lead us to sin but may strengthen us in God's service.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.