Gospel for February 21 2021 – Mark 1:12-15
Gospel Reflections for February 21 2021
How to handle temptations
Does that doughnut you gave up for Lent look tempting? Do politicians get you upset a lot? Worse still, are you tempted to curse the driver who cut you off?
All these impulsive behaviors happen when a doughnut or idiot driver are right in front of you. It is no accident that stores put products right in front of you at the Checkout Stand too, where they tempt you to make a quick impulse buy.
Both our Catholic faith and modern evolutionary science can help you handle temptations in a much better way.
What is going on when you are tempted is, ironically, just the way God designed. Our human brains evolved over millions of years to simply present choices in front of you for your reasoned and rational consideration. Every temptation is simply the brain providing options. The most important thing is what you actually decide to do!
Your brain evolved its emotional powers first, which is where temptations are first received. However, if you choose emotionally and quickly at that moment, you will often make mistakes. Most problems arise from reacting impulsively.
If you stop for a moment, and perhaps even count to ten, then your rational brain will take over, and more reasonably decide that doughnuts and road rage are not your best choices.
Sometimes you may be tempted to break your Lenten resolutions. While certainly a little disappointing, breaking your private resolutions is not a sin. Just start over!
Sometimes, it might be Satan tempting you to sin, as Jesus was in today’s Gospel with three serious sins of extreme selfishness.
Does Jesus panic with these temptations? Does He feel guilty about any of them? Not at all! He knows these are Satan’s usual temptations of selfishness. Jesus does not act impulsively on any of them. He stays calm and even counters Satan in rational conversation.
This is very liberating Gospel if you have ever felt guilty about the temptations you might feel.
You never have to worry about the temptations you might receive, but only about what you actually decide to do. Whenever tempted …count to ten …and make a better choice.
Lent is your annual time of calm reflection on all your moral choices. I hope that they arise from reasoned thinking and never emotional impulses.
You will be in good company with Our Lord.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
Yes “count to ten” advice is really good. Also, take a day and sleep on it, especially if it means buying something expensive when something much less would do just as well.
The fact that Jesus could and did have a practical conversation with his tempter opens a curtain of revelation with a beautiful example of how to handle such things if and or when they enter our lives.
Thank you for this analogy.
God bless.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
I am so glad you found my article so helpful. Thank you!
thank you Father Dave for the video which explained so wonderfully well the Mass for the understanding of all of us. Your weekly presentations are always excellent, and much appreciated. I hope you will encourage everyone to attend Mass in the churches, and not put off this return to the sacraments during Lent, and include a return to Confession, too.
Again, thank you for offering fine reflections each week.
Madeleine Sorensen
I think the time when churches will finally be open is not that far off now. The Vaccines and general immunity levels mean that this long crisis may soon be over!
Well I am ack. Had a real serious cold and better now.
I think this is one f the hardest times to sta positive and not think of the negative. We aare to fight the fight of faith and mine is to constatently try to keep Christ ahead of the game and not let our enemy have his way.
Keep up the fight one day at time, or even a half a day at a time!