Dear Family of God,

What is temptation and the three stages of committing sin? There are three stages of committing sin: First, we perceive it as “good” just like Eve “saw the tree was good for food.” We think it is good and can make us happy. But God is the “only Good”, the source of our true happiness.

Secondly, “It is pleasing to the eyes”, if I possess this, I will be happy.

And third, “Desirable for gaining wisdom”, If I possess this or that, I will be powerful; I will be famous and happy. I will be like God by disobeying God. I will be like God by deciding what is good or evil.

Jesus in our Gospel has showed us how to be victorious over temptations and sin. Tempted with food, He countered it with the word of God: “One does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Tempted to doubt God’s love He said: “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” And tempted to worship other gods or idolatry; Jesus countered the devil with: “The Lord, your God, shall you worship and Him alone shall you serve.”

These three temptations are countered head on by the three practices or discipline of Lent. Temptation for food or for worldly pleasures, we have fasting or self-denial. For doubting God as the source of our joy, we have prayer, increasing our union and conversation with Him will result in cementing our trust in Him. Fruit of prayer is faith. For the temptation to be powerful and famous we have almsgiving or serving our neighbors; being merciful with them as God is merciful with us. Joy is fruit of service. “If you want to be great, be a servant of all” and you will be joyful also.

May we all be victorious against temptation like the Lord.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate.

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