Vol.5 No.23 DoM E Message
Spiritual Gift of the Week
We ask for the grace of patience and humility that we may resist temptation.
We patiently rely upon the Word of God and
humbly commend our hearts to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Spiritual Instruction of the Week,
I have stored up your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you…(Psalm 119:11)
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Dear Beautiful Daughters of Mary,
“I have stored up your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you…” (Psalm 119:11)
The world, the flesh and the devil—three sources of temptation—and for certain—three topics worth our attention as we begin Lent. It is important for us to seek clarity and truth about temptation and sin, particularly during Lent. We “are never wholly free of temptation,” said Pope Benedict in his last Angelus address before his retirement. Anyone who is genuine in her desire to live Christianity knows his words are true. We are subject to temptation throughout our lives. We are also receptive to God’s grace, that we may resist temptation. (2 Cor. 12:9) Although it is impossible here to fully discuss temptation, the following thoughts may give us direction for our study and prayer throughout Lent:
Do we avoid a ‘worldly culture,’ —do we avoid the near occasion of sin?
The world tempts us. No, not our good world created by God for the purpose of our salvation. Here ‘the world’ refers to ‘our culture’—the culture we create and cultivate. Are we attracted to the culture of life—or are we seduced by a culture of death? Do we submit to the lure of material goods presented as fashion and fad—or do we treasure eternal goodness? Do we grasp for and find solace in political power—or do we act to the contrary, freely choosing service? As Daughters of Mary, we are asked to create a culture of faith. To commit to this task will strengthen us against temptation.
Do we pray with love for God in order to resist our tendency to sin?
The flesh tempts us. In our fallen nature, we find ourselves attracted, even addicted to what comes natural. Eating—drinking—sleeping—working—these are natural acts, but not if done too much or for the wrong reasons. Apart from self -control, our sensual appetites and sexual attractions can become sinful. The tradition teaches us seven deadly sins—each with their own set of temptations: gluttony, sloth, greed, lust, pride, wrath, and envy. Spiritual formation counters temptation and diminishes sinful desires. Prayer undermines our natural tendency to fall into sin—it invites supernatural virtue. The spiritual instruction we receive each week at Daughters of Mary is meant to encourage prayer and form our hearts for virtue. In prayer, base desires diminish, desire for God is realized. We fall in love with God—and we fall away from temptation and sin.
Do we turn to Christ and his Word to ‘“lead us not into temptation?”
The devil tempts us. His purpose is to obstruct God’s purpose. The devil seduces those whose one desire is to serve God. His temptation is both overt and subtle—argumentative and logical—always deceptive, always confusing, always alluring. Tradition teaches that God allows temptation and that grace is our weapon against it. (2 Cor. 12:9) As Daughters of Mary—women who serve—we must take to heart St. Peter’s exhortation: “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. “Resist temptation,” we are told, “be steadfast in faith…”(1 Peter 5:8-10) How would we treat a roaring lion—would we engage? Or instead would we secure a weapon to war against the roaring? Each week we turn to the word of God, we study and reflect upon it. We open our minds and hearts to the Spirit and to grace. We do all of this, that we may patiently and humbly sustain faithful lives of service to Christ. Christ, the Word made flesh is ultimately our weapon against temptation and evil. Let us pray, “lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil.”
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During Lent let us pray and ask for God’s mercy—let us pray and ask to become more merciful. As Pope Francis said: “To follow the way of the Lord, the Church is called on to dispense its mercy over all those who recognize themselves as sinners, who assume responsibility for the evil they have committed, and who feel in need of forgiveness. “
Vieni, Spirito Santo, la misericordia di Dio ci salva—
Come Holy Spirit, it is by God’s mercy that we are saved,
Deb
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