Tempted by Demons

In a hymn composed by John Henry Cardinal Newman, Newman recounts the foundation of salvation.  Using the theology of St. Paul, Newman lays out the premise that Sin entered the world through human disregard of our Divine relationship, in favor of selfish ambition, but humanity is redeemed through the Paschal Sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Again in Philippians we are told that Jesus willingly became empty so as to take up in himself our sinfulness, and to bring salvation to the world.

Our human story is one of a contemptuous relationship with God.  Sort of like a squirming little child, the more God tries to hold on to us, the more we want to wiggle away, and do our own thing.  But when we hurt, we come crying back to God.  While we refuse God's friendship, God remains faithful to us and restores us to the dignity and wholeness that is properly ours. 
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The temptation by the Demons in our life is subtle and often veiled.  We are convinced that we should question our relationship with God and go it alone.  Following the construct of God limits us and can be quite naive.  We are tempted to believe that we can be so much more without God and a life of holiness.  But this is really a delusion and a dream.

When I was much younger I want on vacation with a good friend down south.  We were told be some locals that a certain section of the beach was clothing optional.  With visions of young, well formed and tanned women, we in search of this beach.  Well, instead of finding women around our age, we discovered women about our grandparents age.  Our expectations were not to be realized.  But Sin is like that.  Promises of greatness give way to frustration and sadness.

Jesus' response to temptation is to remind the Demons that haunt him, that the Word of God is all that he needs.  God has placed sacred relationship deep within each of us.  Recognizing that we are made for God, we strive for holiness in our relations, response to the world, and our demeanor.  Just as Jesus is revealed to be blessed at his Baptism, we have union and communion with God.  Our daily pondering should be one of pushing away from Sin and Evil; recognizing the voice of God.

It is difficult to be sure, but ours is an ongoing process of discerning what is of God and what is not.  The more our hearts are directed to goodness and truth, the more our pondering can seek our God in all things.