Temptation

Each year, the first Sunday of Lent is known as Temptation Sunday because in the three year cycle of the gospels, we hear the story of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the desert. Well, that is this weekend.  Of course, we are supposed to always resist temptation to sin.  Temptation is not simple however.  It may seem to be.  Just say no, right?  In theory, that is correct.  But you know something, Satan, as we hear about in the gospel, is pretty slick at turning our attention to our appetites - our passions - things that are pleasing to the senses.  Remember Adam and Eve?  That apple looked SO good to Eve, so she took it and gave it to Adam.  That's not a slam on Eve.  Read the story again.  "The serpent tricked me."  That's what Satan does.  He watches constantly for material possessions we think we need but really we WANT.  And resisting that takes a lot of heart.

My biggest temptation right now has to be to do what Pope Leo specifically asked us to fast from -- tearing down with our words.  I do that quite a bit.  Most of you don't know that about me, but some do.  My worst target?  Myself.  My second worst target?  Politics in general.  We know that we are living in a time of major divide around our nation.  When our leaders begin to attack human beings, immigrants, and refugees, treating them like many people incorrectly view the treatment of circus animals, that's crossing a major line.  Let me explain that.

Most of you know that Fr. Charles Watkins, my best friend (God rest his soul), was a chaplain to the circus for many years.  Sawdust was in his veins as he grew up loving the Big Top and everything about it.  He asked me to join him as an assistant chaplain.  What I witnessed behind the scenes was way off base from what animal rights activists promote regularly.  The animals the circuses have been using for years - elephants and tigers especially - are raised in captivity and cared for by their owners.  They are truly family to the owners.  Not only do they feed and wash them, the animals are happiest when they are with their owners like any house pet.  Well, the way the immigrants have been treated is far worse.  

It obviously still sickens me that anyone would treat another human being like that but it continues to happen daily.  We all see it in the news and I hope no one reading this cheers when they see stories of ICE attacks.  Yet, I wonder.  How much worse am I for thinking the thoughts I have about the perpetrators?  That's the two-edged sword.  I see what the government officials are doing, but here I am falling into sin myself on a regular basis.  It's really a blessing being on sabbatical because I don't have CONSTANT exposure to the news, but my blood boils and Satan pounces.  Sorry to burst anyone's bubble about my hidden anger, but I know that God sees it.  That is something I must overcome.  

The priest in his homily on Ash Wednesday talked about the "weapons of self-restraint" - prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (works of charity).  The last is the weapon I try to use the most.  Doing something for the good of others tends to do my heart some good.  Prayer helps, but the action tends to be more powerful for my heart.  What about you?