As Lent begins, the Church invites us into the mystery of Christ’s temptation in the desert. Drawing from the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Sri explores why Jesus allowed Himself to be tempted—and what His victory reveals about humility, spiritual maturity, and confidence in the Father’s mercy. 

Shownotes

The Gospel Scene: Christ in the Desert

• Primary text: Gospel of Luke 4:1–13
  • Jesus fasts for forty days in the desert.
  • “And when they were ended, he was hungry.” (Lk 4:2)
  • He is tempted by the devil:
    1. To turn stones into bread.
    2. To test God by throwing Himself from the Temple.
    3. To worship Satan in exchange for the kingdoms of the world.
  • Luke notes that angels ministered to Him (cf. Lk 4:13; see also Mt 4:11).

Why Did Jesus Allow Himself to Be Tempted?

Drawing from Thomas Aquinas (especially the Summa Theologiae, III, q. 41):

A. To Warn Us Against Presumption

• Even the Holy Son of God allowed Himself to be tempted.
• A call to humility: no disciple is beyond spiritual danger.
• Scripture warning:
  • “Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
    — First Epistle to the Corinthians 10:12
• The temptations of Israel in the desert (cf. 1 Cor 10:1–11) serve as a cautionary example.

Spiritual takeaway:
Approach temptation with humility, not fear or pride. Pray with sincerity in the Our Father:

“Lead us not into temptation.”
—not that we never be tested, but that we not be tried beyond our strength (cf. 1 Cor 10:13).

B. To Give Us an Example of Fidelity

• Jesus responds to every temptation with Sacred Scripture (cf. Deut 6–8).
• He shows us how to fight:
  • Turn to the Father.
  • Anchor the heart in God’s Word.
• He models total trust and obedience at the very beginning of His public ministry.

Spiritual takeaway:
Temptation is fought not by self-reliance, but by:

• Prayer
• Scripture
• Trust in the Father’s providence

C. To Increase Our Confidence in His Mercy

• Christ did not remain distant from our struggles.
• He entered fully into human experience—including temptation.

“For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
— Epistle to the Hebrews 4:15

Aquinas explains:

• As the eternal Son, Christ knew temptation in His divine intellect.
• In the Incarnation, He experienced it in His human nature.
• This deepens our confidence in His compassion.

Spiritual takeaway:
We are not alone in spiritual combat. Our High Priest understands our infirmities.

Was Jesus Really Tempted?

Aquinas distinguishes between:

• External temptation – a suggestion presented from outside.
• Internal temptation – when one delights in or consents to the sinful suggestion.

Jesus experienced real external temptations, but:

• He did not delight in evil.
• He did not consent to sin.
• His intellect, will, and passions were perfectly ordered.

Thus:

• The temptations were authentic and intense.
• Yet He remained “without sin” (Heb 4:15).

Growth in Spiritual Maturity

As disciples mature:

• Temptations may still arise externally.
• But the heart increasingly delights in the good.

Spiritual growth involves:

• Gradual healing of disordered desires.
• Greater integration of intellect, will, and passions.
• Ongoing reliance on grace—not Pelagian self-effort.

Mercy, Not Perfectionism

• We are wounded by original sin.
• Interior healing is gradual—often lifelong.
• Christ’s mercy is always available in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The goal:

“Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5:48)

But this perfection comes through grace, humility, and perseverance—not self-reliance.

Key Themes

• Lent as spiritual combat
• Humility vs. presumption
• Scripture as a weapon against temptation
• Christ our compassionate High Priest
• Gradual transformation “from one degree of glory to another” (cf. 2 Cor 3:18)

Reflection Questions

1. Where am I most prone to presumption in my spiritual life?
2. Do I fight temptation with Scripture and prayer—or self-reliance?
3. How can I grow in confidence in Christ’s mercy this Lent?