(Source from “The Word Among Us”)

You will be like gods. (Genesis 3:5)

We know what the first sin was: Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. But do you know what the first temptation was? “You will be like gods” (Genesis 3:5).

This is the temptation that has always plagued humanity. Like gods, we want to be in control. We want to decide what’s right and wrong. We want the power, honor, and glory that belong only to the Lord.

This is the same temptation that Jesus conquered in his battle with Satan in the desert. In today’s Gospel, the devil tries to tempt Jesus to rebel against his Father’s plan. He taunts Jesus, saying, “If you are the Son of God . . . ” (Matthew 4:3, 6). In other words, If you are really who you claim to be, don’t wait for your Father’s permission. Go ahead and act like God!

But Jesus “did not regard equality with God something to be grasped” (Philippians 2:6). Though he was God incarnate, he submitted to his Father’s will each and every day. Finally, he undid that first sin of Adam when he offered himself on the cross to save us (Romans 5:12, 15).

This Lent, ask the Spirit to help you recognize where you are being tempted to rebel against God. It may be something subtle, like persisting in a bad habit. Or it may be something more obvious, like resisting God’s will in a difficult situation.

Don’t get discouraged if you see signs of rebellion. Instead, let the words of St. Paul in today’s second reading encourage you: through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have all received an “abundance of grace” (Romans 5:17). That grace can help you overcome any temptation—including the temptation to be your own god! This Lent, just keep asking for God’s grace, and trust that it will never run out.

“Jesus, give me the grace to submit to you in all things.”