The title of this article is taken directly from this week’s Gospel. It is a phrase that is valuable for each of us. “Get away Satan!” (MT 4:10a) Satan is clever and he is busy. He seeks to divide while Jesus unites. Since Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, it would be foolish for us to not understand that he tempts us too. He uses many tools.
In this first week of Lent, many of us have made resolutions to add something, give something up, pray more, or make other changes. We will be tempted to neglect our resolutions. Discouragement, pain, and everyday challenges can make our resolutions difficult. Let’s reflect on our Lenten resolutions. If fasting is one of your resolutions, think about the Lord’s 40 day fast in the desert. The opportunity to experience hunger can make us grateful for our food. In your prayers think about how beautiful it is that God hears all our prayers. In your generosity, know that you’re helping someone. But most of all, know that what we do in Lent brings us closer to God.
A friend of mine gave me a resolution that I have adopted all year-round. Before getting out of bed, I think of three things for which I am grateful. These things are often things that are easily taken for granted, like a beating heart or a warm bed. Gratitude is the avenue to happiness. If we think about it, the list of things to be grateful for is very long. With gratitude comes happiness.
Satan uses many tactics to try to negate our gratitude and to divide us. He wants to make us miserable. Don’t let him. Each of us carries a cross. No one goes through life unscathed. No matter how heavy our cross is, Jesus’ is heavier. So, I encourage us all to embrace Lent. Let’s use this time to grow closer to God. Daily mass, stations of the cross, and participation in other Lenten events helps unite us to Christ. Lastly, let’s remember the three powerful words that Jesus himself said: “Get away Satan!”