Twenty-sixth Meditation. On the Temptation of Christ in the Desert

ON THE TEMPTATION OF CHRIST IN THE DESERT.

Christ retired into the desert, fasted forty days (Matt. iv.), and was tempted by Satan with gluttony, with the desire for honours, and the offer of riches, all of which temptations He overcame by His virtue, and when he had sent away the Evil One from His presence, the angels approached and ministered unto Him.

First Point.—In this battle that Christ fought against the devil, and the victory He gained over him, thou hast much to meditate. Consider, first, how the devil dared to tempt the Saviour of the world, and be not cast down if thou find thyself tempted, but rather take courage by the example of Christ, to suffer and fight until thou conquerest, begging His favour against so cunning an enemy. See the preparations that Christ makes for the battle, withdrawing into a desert, fasting forty days with great rigour, giving Himself up to silence, mortification, and prayer, which are the arms by which the victory over the enemy is to be gained. Consider if thou makest use of them, examining them one by one, and beg them of the Lord, for without them thou canst not conquer.

Second Point.—Consider that on Christ being hungry, Satan assailed Him with a temptation to gluttony, like a captain attacking the fortress on the side where the wall seems the weakest, and if thou dost hunger after temporal goods and art weak in virtue, Satan will assail thee. Put thy hand on thy breast and see if it is weak on any point, and beg of the Lord to strengthen thee that thou mayest not be overcome. See how the devil fights with Christ, tempting Him like the first Adam with gluttony, and how Christ conquers him by confidence in God, who has given His word not to abandon in their necessities those who belong to Him; confide in His bounty that He will not leave thee in thy need, and curb thy appetites if thou wouldst overcome the enemy.

Third Point.—Consider how the devil carried Christ up to the pinnacle of the Temple and there endeavoured to persuade Him to throw Himself down to the ground, confiding with vain presumption in Divine Providence, that It would send angels to bear Him up in their hands, that He might not be hurt. Perceive the cunning of the devil, and do not let thyself be deceived by his wiles; fly like Christ with true humility from vainglory and presumption, if thou wouldst come victorious out of the struggle.

Fourth Point.—Consider that from the Temple the devil conducted Christ on to a high mountain and offered Him all the riches and honours of the world if He would adore him, which Christ despised, and having overcome the devil, angels approached and crowned Him as a victor. Contemplate here the importunity of the devil in tempting Christ, for though twice defeated he did not desist from his purpose, and attacked Him a third time with greater fury; in order that thou shouldst be aware that he never gives himself up for vanquished, and that thou shouldst always be ready to resist him; consider besides what a strong weapon is the covetousness of temporal goods, for the devil confides in it for victory after having been defeated in the other temptations, and keep thy heart free from this affection, lest thou fall into his snares. See how Christ despised them all with such great courage, and weep over thy weakness and malice in having so many times bent thy knee to the devil for the sake of human interests of no value. See how the devil fled immediately, for he flies from those who conquer him; resist him with courage, and he will fly from thee. Lastly, approach with the angels and congratulate Christ on His victory; rejoice to see thy Captain crowned; be glad of His triumph, and learn to conquer if thou wouldst obtain the crown that the Saviour won.