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In the Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent, we hear the familiar account of the devil tempting Christ in the desert. In his homily, Archbishop Alexander Sample reflects on what it means for the Son of God to be truly tempted and why the Church places this scene at the beginning of Lent. He points to the practical wisdom of the season, rooted in the Church’s ancient tradition of fasting and penance dating back to the apostles. When we freely deny ourselves even good things, he explains, our will is strengthened to choose the good and avoid evil. Without that self-restraint, he warns, we can begin to drift, giving in to every whim and desire.
God has given us the great gift of free will, and the discipline of Lent helps train the heart to use that gift well.
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