Lent 1C (Luke 4:1-13)

Temptation can only be detected when we see things clearly. This may sound paradoxical if we assume that those who are “holy” should never be tempted. But think again. That’s certainly not the case for Jesus, at least in today’s gospel lesson. Temptation begins to creep in right after his baptism—when he is “full of the Holy Spirit” and is led by that very Spirit into the wilderness of temptation.

Let me give you an example of why the more clearly we perceive our internal and external states, the more prone we are to temptation. Consider cataract surgery. What do people notice most after the procedure? The most common answers I’ve heard are wrinkles and dust. Those who’ve had the surgery often say, “I never realized how many wrinkles I have!” or “I didn’t know there was so much dust everywhere!”

The clearer your vision, the more imperfections you see. Likewise, the clearer your awareness, the more temptations you’ll recognize.

This is precisely what’s happening in today’s gospel lesson. Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, sees his mind more clearly than ever. This also applies to us when we engage in silent prayer or meditation. The Breath of God stills and clears the mind of those who attune themselves to it. In that state of clarity, we become able to see unskillful thoughts—the thoughts of temptation—creeping in.

These thoughts, if left unchecked, lead to stress and suffering. But in the gospel, we see how Jesus manages his unskillful thoughts. This management is a process of discernment: recognizing the choices before him, weighing their consequences, and making a decision.

The gospel personifies these thoughts as the accuser—what tradition calls Satan. But instead of focusing on what Jesus chooses to do, let’s focus on what Jesus gives up. Discernment is, at its heart, about knowing what to let go of and prioritizing what matters most.

So, what does Jesus refuse to do when tempted?

Here are three key things he doesn’t do:

1. He doesn’t turn stones into bread.
2. He doesn’t worship Satan—meaning he doesn’t worship himself. The temptation to worship Satan stems from a desire for glory, authority, and ownership of the world’s kingdoms.
3. He doesn’t throw himself from the top of the temple to be saved by angels.

Now, notice what happens through Jesus’ inaction:

1. Instead of turning stones into bread, he becomes bread himself. He offers himself as sustenance for others. 
2. Instead of seeking his own glory, he breathes with the Breath of God, fully aligning his life with God’s will.
3. Instead of forcing a miraculous rescue, he embraces vulnerability, allowing himself to be tested, even to the point of death on the cross. And there, in that vulnerability, he gives voice to human suffering: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

This Lenten season invites us to follow Jesus’ example—to face our unskillful thoughts and actions with clarity and courage. We’re called to still our minds through contemplation, to be watchful of the thoughts and feelings that arise and fall.

When we do this, guilt might surface. We might feel regret for past unskillful behaviors or even for simply having such thoughts. But guilt, by itself, doesn’t help. What matters is that we acknowledge these thoughts, own them, and act more skillfully going forward. This is where grace comes in—nourishing us, empowering us to choose wisely.

So, what thoughts are surfacing in your mind? They may not be the same as Jesus’ temptations. Each of us brings our own history, our own struggles. But we can all learn from Jesus’ discernment. His choices weren’t about instant gratification or short-term fixes. Instead, he prioritized the long-term good—good for God, for others, and for himself—even when those choices seemed difficult or costly in the moment.

Friends in Christ, may we do the same. May we seek clarity of mind through the Breath of God, and may we discern what truly brings lasting joy and peace.