Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 3rd Sunday in Advent.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The third article of the Apostle’s Creed is “Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary” There are nineteen (19) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 566.
Three tendencies which have plagued the human race since Original Sin are enumerated in Sacred Scripture: the flesh, the eyes, pride of life (cf. 1 John 2:16). The Lord Jesus was able to resist these temptations, teaches us how to do so and gives us the grace to do so.
The temptation of the Lord Jesus in the desert by the devil Satan is recorded in Sacred Scripture (cf. Matthew 4:1; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2). The devil tempted the Lord Jesus along the lines spelled out by Saint John above: Stones to bread (flesh); leap from the pinnacle of the temple for the Holy Angels who always behold His face to catch Him (eyes); false worship on the high mountain (pride). While Jesus Christ was tempted in all things as we are (cf. Hebrews 4:15) He did not succumb or give in to the various temptations. It is only by the grace He gives us that we can avoid any sin, repent every sin, triumph over Satan.
The humility of Jesus Christ is constant throughout the Sacred Scriptures: when He teaches us to take up His yoke (cf. Matthew 11:29); as He was obedient unto death (cf. Philippians 2:8). The Savior likewise exhorts us, His followers, to humility (cf. Matthew 18:4; 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14). But the way the Lord Jesus resisted Satan’s temptations in the desert show yet further humility, all the while teaching us how to similarly resist temptations and defeat the devil. The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Word repelled and rebuked Satan through the power of the inspired Word, that is, Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible and so are we (cf. John 1:1, 14; Ephesians 6:17; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16). Specifically, Jesus Christ rebukes Satan with the inspired words of Sacred Scripture: Not by bread alone… (Deuteronomy 8:3) You shall not tempt the Lord your God… (Deuteronomy 6:16; Isaiah 7:12) The Lord Your God shall you Adore, Him only shall you serve… (Deuteronomy 5:9)
So often we think of Christ’s victory over Satan as that which happened on Good Friday. And indeed, the death and resurrection is the definitive victory over sin, Satan, the Cross and the grave. But Christ was always victorious over Satan. By the grace God gives us in the Sacraments, life lived in Mother Church, we too are able to overcome sin and Satan in our lives. This is part of the mysterious plan of God, His design for our salvation. We are to totally adhere to Christ and His will for us.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr