{"id":23384,"date":"2016-03-08T18:37:02","date_gmt":"2016-03-09T00:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=23384"},"modified":"2017-04-27T19:34:21","modified_gmt":"2017-04-27T23:34:21","slug":"of-temptation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/of-temptation\/","title":{"rendered":"Of Temptation","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

LENTEN RETREAT
\n Day 25<\/p>\n

\"temptation2\"The Temptation <\/span><\/em>by Eric Armusik<\/span><\/p>\n

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I <\/strong>remember a scene from the film The Passion of the Christ<\/em> when Jesus kisses the cross after they place it on His shoulders. That’s because He knew His suffering would redeem\u00a0the world. Likewise, some of the saints in the early Church deliberately traveled to Rome so that they could be martyred, knowing that it would hasten their union with God.<\/p>\n

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But there is a difference between trials <\/em>and\u00a0temptations.<\/em> That is to say, one should not be too quick to look for temptation. St. James makes the subtle distinction between the two. He first says,<\/p>\n

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Consider it all joy<\/em>, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Likewise, St. Paul said,<\/p>\n

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In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:18)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

They both recognized that the will of God, whether expressed in consolation or desolation, was always their food, always a path to greater union with Him. And therefore, Paul says, “Rejoice always.”<\/em> [1]<\/sup><\/a>1 Thess 5:16<\/span><\/span>