It’s strange, but quite a few Christians act as if the jury is still out on whether there is a devil. We all admit that suffering, violence, and bad things happen in this world. But, from “The Devil made me do it” to “The Devil Wears Prada,” we have made the very real entity of Evil into almost a cartoon figure—either a talking snake or a little red creature with horns and a pitch-fork who lurks about, whispering naughty ideas in people’s ears.
 
This could be one reason Jesus being tempted by the devil might be such a hard story to swallow. Many Christians can’t believe that Jesus--the Son of God, the Redeemer of the entire cosmos—could ever “really” be tempted to sin. But if we don’t think Jesus could be tempted to do evil, maybe we don’t believe Jesus really lived a human life.
 
Remember, it’s a core teaching of our faith that Jesus became fully human to completely experience our human condition, and fully redeem that condition. Temptation itself is not sin. But to be fully human, Jesus did have to feel the same desires, emotions, and inclinations that all humans experience.
 
Jesus was put into tempting situations and forced to choose between good and bad just as we are. Temptations are always “tailor-made” to appeal to our weakest spots. How well do we know our temptations? God can “show us to ourselves” so much better while we take this often-difficult journey through Lent.
 
Lent is not a “giving up” time so much as a “going in” time—with prayer and silence. Jesus deeply understands our temptations. He will stand with us during Lent with living water to quench our thirst and strengthen our resolve, if we let him.
 
The Little Sisters of the Poor and their volunteers will be with us after all Masses next weekend to collect for their mission. Your contributions enable them to continue the work of their foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan, in caring for the elderly poor at their Home on Benton Avenue in Brighton Heights for the last 150 years. They are counting on your continued support.