The Colourful Modern Devil

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 1st Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 4:1-11*

*First Reading : Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7*

*SECOND READING Rom 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19*

*The Colourful Modern Devil*

*1) The Temptation Sunday*

The first Sunday of Lent is called, Temptation Sunday, because on this day we meditate and reflect on the temptations of Jesus 

Since the temptation is a common factor which is influencing everyone, it is very important to reflect about its consequences and to be alert about it 

There is no human being in Earth, who is free from temptation. All of us are tempted in one way or the other 

*2) Temptation and the Devil*

The Devil is the temptor. Its only work is to tempt people and to take away from God

The same devil also tried with Jesus, but it could not succeed. 

This shows that devils power is limited and if one is strong, it can do nothing 

*3) Jesus know it was Devil*

When the devil came to tempt Jesus, Jesus clearly knew that it was devil who was tempting Him 

So He was able to challenge Him in everything. Finally the devil left Him 

Knowing at that moment was very important. Only when one knows that, it was devil, one can fight back in a better way 

*4) My Awareness about the Devil*

At times my awareness about the devil is very limited 

Some times we are not able to realise that it is the devil who tempts us

The ignorance of ours, also makes the devil to have upper hand and we become easy prey to devil 

*5) Modern Colourful Devil*

Today we have failed to identify the devil and its temptations because of its variety and colourful ways

The modern means which are terribly used by the devil to destroy the human beings would be the following 

The Mobile 

The internet

The vedio games 

The modern gadgets

The money 

The power 

The colourful celebratiobs 

The drinks, drugs, 

The junk food 

Bodily pleasures 

The comfortable and easy life 

These are the various means through which the devil tempts us in a colourful way 

*6) Am I alert?*

The devil is always active to tempt me. So I need to be very alert at all times 

The following things will help to be remain alert and fight back at the temptations of devil

The scripture reading 

Prayer 

Celebration of the sacraments

Personal prayer life 

Sacramental adoration

Self discipline

Praying Rosary 

Living a good and genuine life 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*