In the Book of Genesis Adam and Eve encounter the serpent. They were willing to dialogue with this serpent, but in the end the devil through His lies led them into sin. In other words, we can say that in their dialogue they were leaving the door open for sin. They were led along until they became confused and once they were wrapped up within the lies of the devil it was so easy for them to enter into sin.
We too like to dialogue with the devil. We constantly allow the door to be kept open for sin and thus it is so hard for us to disconnect ourself from its grasp. The devil likes to take advantage of our relativity and thus entrap us in his grasp.
Christ shows us another way within the Gospel. He does not allow the devil to confuse Him with his lies. Rather, Christ turns towards scripture which is finite and true in order to silence the advances of Satan. Left with our own emotions and belief we can be led astray, but if we turn towards Christ and Sacred Scripture this cannot be the case.
Therefore, we enter into this Sacred season of Lent in order that we may do penance in order that we may draw close to Christ. This season is a time for us to conquer over vice and to build up virtue. This season is a time for us to open ourselves up to the grace which is constantly being poured out upon us by God. This season is a time for us to become invested in what receive here and thus to allow it to become integrated into who we are as a human person.
Sin is not a dialogue that we can have because there is no good found there. If we dialogue with sin we leave the door open thus allowing ourself to enter into sin. Thus let us build up the virtue necessary in order that we may stand with Christ in rebuking Satan with the truth which is found within the deposit of faith.
Lent is a time not to foster this within ourselves. May we take up practices such as fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in order that we may over come temptation and grow close to Christ within this life.
