A: 1st Sun of Lent (1 Mar 2020) - WINNING OVER TEMPTATIONS (Mt 4:1–11)

We are now confronted with the heartbreaking rise of COVID-19 cases and deaths, which right before our eyes, swiftly escalate toward being a pandemic. We can just hope and pray that medical researchers will soon find the antidote and vaccine to this global disease that truly scares every one of us. With dozens of reports of failures to contain the outbreak, we are left on our own to ensure our safety by wearing protective masks, washing our hands frequently, and avoiding too crowded places, so they say. Nonetheless, these measures are not a guarantee that we can be COVID-19-free since this virus is airborne and its symptoms can only manifest weeks after contamination. Hence, the only reliable solution is by strengthening our antibodies so that at the threshold of any potential infection, the virus will not thrive in our immune system.

Why do I begin this reflection along these lines of medical science? I say so because I have a theoretical proposition to make: If antibodies can efficiently fight bacteria and diseases naturally, so I think can anti-vices fight all temptations attacking our spirits supernaturally. In the same way as building our antibodies remains our best chance of survival today, enhancing our anti-vices resources, i.e., living a virtuous life through prayer and charity, can make us effectively win over every temptation we will meet along the way of eternal salvation.

The first Sunday of Lent always begins with the story of the Temptation of our Lord. This plot is not something new for we read in the biblical stories that the lives of iconic persons would always have a story of temptation at one point in their lives. Such is true to the first human beings in the Genesis account. Adam and Eve were supposed to live a hassle-free life. They were not to toil for their food as there was an abundance of fruits in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:16). They were not to fear for no one being in a happy state of union with all the beasts of the fields and animals in the air (vv. 19–20). They were not to worry for tomorrow, because God was always there constantly walking with them to respond to their every need, should there be any (Gen 3:8). But we know what transpired next, through the enticements and lies brought forth by the serpent, they succumbed to the temptation of eating the forbidden fruit, causing God to be angry with them (vv. 11–12). Soon enough, they were sent out of paradise and would begin to suffer the pains of life: childbirth, labor, and even death (vv. 16–19, 23–24). All these things transpired because their anti-vices were weak. Pampered with everything, they were so carefree in life that they failed to enhance their virtues and to mature as stewards of creation.

On the contrary, Jesus in our gospel successfully won over all the temptations thrown to him by the devil. He was attacked at all the main facets of life: pleasure (eating of bread in a situation of utmost hunger; Mt 4:3), fame (gaining glory for being publicly seen flying in the air with the angels; Mt 4:5–6), and wealth (owning all the kingdoms of the whole world; Mt 4:8–9). Jesus was unfazed by these enticements and bravely sent the devil away. How was he able to do this? It is because Jesus had been in prayer for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert (Mt 4:2).

But why did he see the need to do so? It is for the reason that Jesus knew that in the past the great leaders of their faith emerged victorious by undergoing such strenuous spiritual activity. Moses was in the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights when he met God in the holy mountain (Exo 24:18; 34:28) before commencing their long sojourn in the desert. Elijah was also in a kind of retreat on Mt. Horeb for 40 days and 40 nights (1 Kgs 19:8) before descending to continue his work as God’s prophet. As a matter of fact, both Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus in his transfiguration later (Mk 9:4//Mt 17:3). The Matthean Jesus was most probably following their approach to an effective ministry, by embarking to enhance his spiritual immune system, ready for the bigger tests of life.

Indeed, knowing that the human flesh can be weak at any point, Jesus showed us that by strengthening our anti-vices no temptation can ever be victorious. As we begin, then, our Lenten journey toward Easter, may we continue to build our own anti-vices each day by constantly praying, practicing virtues, and helping each other attain a life of sanctity.

- Rex Fortes, CM