The sower goes out to sow his seed. Some of this seed falls upon the wayside and is trampled upon. Likewise, there are many evils which threaten our eternal salvation in the midst of this world. These temptations come upon us and attempt to hold us captive. Saint Paul stated “For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage.” It is through sin that we are brought into this bondage. It is Christ alone who liberates us from this reality that holds us captive. Through what He offers for us upon the cross we have been redeemed and have been set free from both sin and death.
We continue this brief season prior to Lent which reminds us that the Lenten season is quickly approaching. It is hard to believe that in a week and a half we will be in the Lenten season. Here we are reminded that we need to set out in order to take full advantage of Lent in order that it may assist us in coming to love the Lord our God more fervently. Evil continues to enter in and attempts to hold us captive, but we must realize that Christ is indeed the one who sets us free from this reality. Evil has no power over us if we learn to place our trust in the infinite mercy of the Lord which is found to be without end.
We should allow ourself to reflect upon the importance of our eternal salvation. In doing so let us ask what good it would be if we were to obtain the world if it was achieved at the peril of our own soul. Adam and Eve were given a choice within the garden and they used their choice to their own peril. The devil came in order to tempt the Lord and to promise Him the world, but the Lord would not allow Himself to be tempted. So too we must set out in order to draw close to the Lord in order that He may be the source of our strength in the midst of every temptation that comes our way.
As we come to petition in the Our Father, “Lead us not into temptation.” Temptation is not something that we go out in search of. Temptation is not something that we play with. The more that we consent to temptation the easier we will enter into sin and more entrenched will it’s hold over us be. It can grasp ahold of us to the point that we are being held captive. In such manner we will be like seed that is trampled upon or found among thorns which choke it out. We must turn away from temptation and it’s pull upon us in order to allow this seed to grow to its full potential with the assistance of God’s grace.
As Saint Paul stated to the Ephesians, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Through putting on the armor of God we invite God’s grace into our life and open ourself up to it to the fullest degree. In order to fight against temptation we must be found willing to recognize our tendency towards sin, we must come to study Sacred Scripture, we must commit ourself to the sacramental life of the Church, we must find assistance from those around us, and we must be willing to repent immediately of all wrong doing that we have committed. In such fashion we invite God to enter into our life and assist us and thus allow the seed to fall upon the good ground which will bring forth good fruit.
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