8. ‘And lead us not into
temptation’
St. Cyprian in his meditations
reminds us that when we use this phrase, we pray not out of fear that God will
lead us astray, but rather to show our confidence that God can give us an
escape from temptation, and that ‘he will not let you be tested beyond your
strength’ (1 Cor 10:13).
In other words, we ask that
God does not test us beyond our ability to remain within His grace-filled love.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) tells us:
‘The Holy Spirit makes us
discern between trials, which are necessary for the growth of the inner man,
and temptation which leads to sin and death.
We must also discern between being tempted and consenting to temptation.
Finally, discernment unmasks the lie of temptation, whose object appears to be
good, a “delight to the eyes” and desirable, when in reality its fruit is death’.
Para 2847 p. 684)
This petition also implies a
decision of the heart. In this assent to
the Holy Spirit, the Father gives us strength.
Jesus reminds us that the
‘battle and the victory over temptation’ is only possible through prayer. Jesus
was tempted by the evil one at the outset of his public ministry (Mt 4:1-11),
and in His agony in the garden. Notice that Jesus used the Scripture to
strengthen Him against the tempter. What
Scripture texts do you use to strengthen you when you are tempted?
Jesus urges us to be vigilant
and to remain in communion with Him. The
Holy Spirit constantly awakens us to ‘keep watch’ and to persevere.
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