Dear Parishioners,
The story of Adam and Eve is not a fairy tale. Adam and Eve were real human beings, from whom all of humanity—all races—has descended [monogenesis, not polygenesis; Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), #404, 417]. The “fall” (“original sin”) of Adam and Eve was a real event that took place in history by our first parents (CCC #375), although in today’s 1st reading from Genesis 3, it is described figuratively (CCC #390).
Far more intriguing than the historicity of the event, however, is how to apply what God has revealed to help us overcome temptation. Here are two of many takeaways:
- DO NOT enter into dialogue with the serpent, ie, do not allow impure thoughts or someone’s tainted invitation to brew. Rather than walking away, Eve CHOSE to stay and to dialogue, to think about, to rationalize, to be tempted, and that was the beginning of the end. “Nip it in the bud”: look away, walk away, immediately.
- DO protect and defend others from temptation. “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing (attributed to Edmund Burke).” Adam, “who was with her” (Gen 3:6), did nothing to intervene; he was complicit by the sin of omission. His role was to guard the garden (Gen 2:15), but he didn’t. When you’re aware of another’s temptation, help him or her overcome it.
Vice & Virtue. If one has persisted in the same sin, it will likely be difficult to make the first steps back toward virtue stick, but it becomes easier the more you practice it. Analogously, athletes know this: if you’re not in shape, the first day of practice is grueling and you’re sore, but in time with repeated practice, what was initially difficult becomes easier. Vice works similarly but in the opposite way: the first time you do something you know is wrong (you fall to temptation), it’s hard to do, but it becomes easier to repeat the wrong act over and over again. But we have victory in Christ…
Overcoming Temptation. With God’s grace, and our diligent cooperation with it, we CAN overcome temptation. This is why Jesus gave us the sacraments (particularly Reconciliation/ Confession which we should make regular use of, and the Eucharist) and God’s Word. In fact, Jesus’ reply to EACH of the devil’s 3 temptations in today’s gospel was Scripture! (Matthew 4:1-11).
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13
When I was a midshipman at the Naval Academy, my Protestant brothers introduced me to what become a very effective means of God’s grace to overcome temptation. Just like Jesus did, I memorized Scripture and used it as needed to rebuff temptation. I encourage you to do the same, specifically 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Peace in Christ,
Father Jim
