About the Mass Series Vol 2 : Communion Rite: And Lead Us not into temptation

ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2

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 '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. 

 On a practical note, we can prepare for Mass by asking the Holy Spirit to help us to reflect upon what areas in our lives are we prone to temptation. Firstly we need to be aware of the temptation in our lives before we have a chance to engage in the battle and become victors through the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, that temptation does not necessarily have to be bad but it can be the lesser of the two good choices. In making the choice for the lesser good, we may have been tempted by what that choice could give short term and not considered whether it is truly good for us and alignment with God.

We need also to develop a regular plan to overcome our temptation.  For example: if we wish to spend some more reflective time in our night prayer but we find that we opt to watch TV, scroll through our phones or computer instead, then we need to make sure we develop a plan whereby we remove this distraction.  Watching TV or using our devices can be good for relaxation, but if our desire is to develop a deeper spiritual prayer night prayer, then watching TV instead of reflecting on the scriptures is both a temptation and is leading us away from God. We have to ask ourselves what subtle ways are we being led into temptation in our lives and what are we doing to stand up against it?