After being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus went on retreat in the wilderness in order to prepare Himself for His public ministry-and Satan immediately tried to divert Him from His chosen path. Three times the devil tempted Jesus with food, earthly power and glory, and a chance to misuse His divine powers and each time Jesus resisted (Lk 4:1-14). Satan tempts us, too, and he is far more cunning and powerful than we are; if we rely on our own strength, we will surely fail. Scripture tell us, however, that through God’s grace we can succeed in our spiritual pilgrimage. As Moses reminded the people, it was through God’s power that they were freed from slavery in Egypt (Deut 5:15), and as St. Paul states, all those who call upon the Name of the Lord in faith will be saved (Rom 10:13). Jesus would not disobey the will of His Father-and we too must place God’s will first in our lives. In the desert, Jesus carried with Him not only His divine mission but also our human struggles. The temptations He faced are the same ones that echo in our own lives pleasure, pride, and power. His victory is not just His; it is a path for us to follow. We often hunger for comfort, satisfaction, and quick fixes. The world tells us that happiness lies in possessions, indulgence, or entertainment. Yet Jesus reminds us: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). Where do I seek fulfilment? Do I allow God’s Word and the Eucharist to feed my deepest hunger? We are tempted to prove ourselves, to demand signs, to make faith about recognition. Jesus shows us humility trusting the Father without spectacle, living hidden obedience rather than chasing applause. The desire to be seen, admired, or validated can lead us to test God or make faith about recognition. Jesus refuses to demand signs, teaching us humility and trust. Do I sometimes demand proof from God or seek applause in my faith? Can I embrace hidden acts of love that only God sees? We are tempted to bow before idols of wealth, status, and influence. Jesus reminds us that only God deserves worship, and that true greatness is found in service, not domination. Ambition, influence, and control can become idols. Satan offers Jesus worldly kingdoms, but He chooses the Cross instead. What “kingdoms” tempt me-wealth, status, success? Do I worship God alone, or do I bow to lesser gods in my daily choices? The desert is not just history-it is a spiritual map. Every temptation we face today can be overcome by relying on God’s Word, grace through the sacraments, and steadfast worship of Him alone. In the end, the desert teaches us that victory over temptation is not about our strength, but about surrendering to God’s strength. Our hearts need to be purified and we need to grow on a greater reliance on God rather than ourselves and here we do so through prayer and fasting to permit God to tame our desires to godliness. We must realize that service will help us attain true greatness and that greatness does not lie in power to dominate and control. Instead greatness lies in humble love for others. The desert becomes the place of reversal-where disobedience is undone, where faith is rebom, where the story of humanity begins again. And Lent invites us into that same desert. Not to prove our strength, but to discover our weakness, and there, to let Christ’s victory become our own. The devil dared to twist God’s promise-a song of His protection, of angelic help for those who love Him when he tempted Jesus in the desert. But notice carefully: the evil one left out the heart of the Psalm, the confession of faith that begins it all “Say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust” (Ps 91:2). Jesus reveals the truth: faith precedes rescue, trust precedes triumph. And so it is with us. When we place our confidence in the Lord, when we acknowledge Him as our refuge and fortress, then His promises become our song. In Jesus, trust triumphs over fear. Obedience triumphs over disobedience. Life triumphs over death. The desert becomes the place of victory. Therefore as St Paul encourages let’s “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph 6:10).
