Facing Temptation

Temptations come.  It's part of the human condition from Eden to the wilderness where Jesus fasted, to our own hearts today.  The Evil One does not rest and gives exemptions to no one.  He hits us where we are most vulnerable as we see in the first temptation Jesus faced based on his hunger  (Mt  4:1). To use "magic" to turn stones into bread would have been an abuse of his power and and contradiction to his mission of being the bread of life in word and sacrament. The same with throwing himself off the parapet of the temple for no reason than to test God's providence. "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test." (Mt 4: 7). Finally, the devil, knowing that Jesus came to save the world, tempts him with the easy way to do so, worship him! (Mt 4: 9).   Jesus vehemently dismisses him, "Get away Satan." . "The Lord your God shall you worship and him alone shall you serve." (Mt 4:10). The Devil is sometimes as direct as this, but more often, subtle, and cunning, leading us in small, disguised steps to trick us little by little into thinking that what tempts us is "really not that bad". Before we know it, we're hooked and fallen. The best way to deal with these diabolic enticements is to use the words of Jesus. "Get away, Satan". It worked for him; it will work for us.
Bro. Rene