Gospel of Matthew, chapter 4:1

The book of Genesis traces the origin of human evil to the fall of our first parents – Adam and Eve. God created our first parents in His image. He wanted Adam and Eve and all humankind to be supremely happy, walking with Him in Joy, unity and peace. But the pleasure of God’s company depended on human consent; and in paradise that consent was not given. In Eden’s garden, estrangement made its dark debut and with it followed the long and hard-fought human struggle for unity; for harmony; and for reconciliation.

By contrast, the gospel of Matthew, chapter four sets us, not in the garden of paradise, but in a dry and barren desert where Christ takes on the forces of evil. This is the setting for a second beginning, a new genesis. This is the story of the temptations of Jesus over evil that first entered our world with the fall of Adam and Eve from grace. In a grueling human struggle, Jesus takes on the full force of evil. He rejects the temptations of materialism (“not on bread alone is man to live”); fame (“you shall not put the Lord your God to the test”) and power (“you shall do homage to the Lord your God; Him alone shall you adore”). By standing up to evil and the power of the devil, Jesus tips the course of human behavior Godward.

We need to look hard at Christian renewal. We need to face up to evil. There is no time better than now to enter into the business of renewal. We need to know where our darkness is; where we have cheated ourselves and one another; where we have lost track of the path of grace.

Today is a good day to be renewed as a follower of Christ.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

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