Temptation was seen as an opportunity to the person tempted. In this case, Jesus could demonstrate his closeness and faithfulness to his Father. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Nonetheless, each of us is put to the test every day, if not several times a day. The devil, whose name in Greek means the deceiver, seems to have an endless repertoire of tempting tricks available for his use on us each one tailored to the individual.
Every temptation is a challenge and an opportunity to prove our fidelity.
This week, the Spirit also leads us Christians into the spiritual desert situation, the 40 days of Lent. For us, too, this may well be a special time of temptation and testing before the glory of Easter. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Try it in the fact of temptation. Let it be a Lenten practice, In the name of Jesus, and with the Spirit s help, we will find the opportunity to strengthen our fidelity to the Father, especially in these Lenten days.