Selection of the sermons of Father Ezekiel Oko
The lesson of the temptations of Jesus
We heard the account of the temptations of Jesus in today's Gospel. The figure of the devil, which is always associated with temptations in the Bible, is not important. What is important are the circumstances in which or by which Jesus was tempted. Because these circumstances are very well known to us. We, too, are tempted in such circumstances. These circumstances are about 1. having something to eat or drink, 2. having something – the kingdoms of the earth and 3. power and prestige. These temptations have to do with human desires. Human desire is not evil in itself. Because it is part of human nature. The temptation is to make the object of desire the end of life rather than the means.
In the first temptation, the devil commands Jesus to make food the goal of life. We don't live to eat. But that is exactly what the devil commanded Jesus to do. This temptation gives the impression that life has no meaning without food. But that is not the truth. One can still live without food insofar as there is a purpose one wants to live for. And we find that meaning in the Word of God. That is why Jesus responded to this temptation: "It is written: Man does not live by bread alone." (Luke 4:4) There are people who are possessed by this kind of temptation. They think that without the food, without these drinks, life lacks happiness. They think only food or drink makes their life meaningful. To overcome this temptation, we must discover a purpose to live for. For man does not live by bread alone. When I read the stories of the people who survived the concentration camps, I thought: yes, man does not live on bread alone.
In the second temptation, the devil commands Jesus to make the kingdoms of the earth the goal of life. He says to Jesus: "All the power and glory of these kingdoms I will give you...if you will bow down to me and worship me..." (Luke 4:5-7). He commands Jesus to renounce his faith in order to possess the kingdoms of the earth. Wealth is not inherently evil. But wealth doesn't make sense if it takes my faith away from me. All of our possessions are to be viewed as a means rather than the end of life. The question is, "May I trade God and my faith in Him for riches?" If there is anything in my life that I am willing to give up my faith in God for, I am already in the same temptation. How did Jesus respond to this temptation? "It is written: You shall bow down to the Lord your God, and serve him only." (Luke 4:8) All that we have should help us to serve the will of God. If not, our possessions are made gods. For what takes away our belief in God will become our gods.
The third temptation is about power and prestige. The devil commands Jesus to live for power and reputation. He thinks that the meaning of life is to be served and praised by others. This is how you make yourself a god. There are people who live like that. They are obsessed with power and prestige and will do whatever it takes to achieve it. Even today there are many people who feel that others should serve them and praise them. But Jesus teaches us to serve others instead of being served by them. We discover the meaning of life by using all our gifts and possessions in the service of others.
Dear sisters and brothers, Lent is an opportunity for us to learn to transform our lives so that we no longer make life's ends the means of them. Life makes sense, even if we don't own the food, drink, or anything else, even if others think we're powerless and unworthy. The meaning of life is who we are before God, that we have God as the most important possession of our lives, and that we are allowed to serve others. True dignity and recognition come from God. And we can always have that, no matter what the circumstances of our life may be.
Overview