Daily Retreat 02/14/06
2006 Feb 14 Tue: Cyril and Methodius, bps M
Jas 1: 12-18/ Ps 93(94): 12-13a. 14-15. 18-19/ Mk 8: 14-21
From todays readings: No one experiencing temptation should say, I am being tempted by God; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and He Himself tempts no one..... Blessed the man You instruct, O Lord.... Jesus said to them, Do you still not understand?
How Tempting!
Temptation, of course, is not the same as sin - temptation is the lure and enticement of desire which leads to sin. Even though temptation comes from Satan (never from God!), remember, Jesus Himself was tempted, so there is no sin involved merely in experiencing temptation. In fact, it has been said that a person unaware of any temptations in his life has a lot to worry about, because the Devil evidently assumes such a one is already in his possession! So, when a person perseveres, fighting against temptation, he is being virtuous. That does not mean, however, that one should deliberately entertain temptation, for to do so intentionally would be a sin of presumption that one could successfully resist the temptation.
In fact, the most effective and straightforward resistance to sin is at the level of temptation. When a person falls regularly into sin, an essential defense tactic is for him to quarantine himself as much as possible from the sources of temptation. Thats the reason that, when making an examination of conscience, not only must we take responsibility for our sins, but we need to go the additional step of identifying the near occasions of sin, so as to avoid them in the future. This is why we pray, Lead us not into temptation..., imploring God to lead us away, as far as possible, from sources of temptation, not because God Himself ever would lead us into temptation (note how emphatic James is about this point)!
Fr. Rory Pitstick
Our Lady of the Valley Parish
2511 N. Elmway
Okanogan WA 98840 USA
(509) 422-5049
"Illum oportet crescere, me autem minui." John 3:30
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posted by FrPitstick | 2/11/2006
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