Lent — the Opportunity of a Lifetime

     Behold the astounding humility of the Son of God! He willingly submits to undergoing trial and temptation in order to set the example for us. "For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also." (John 13:15) In fact, Satan can have no more influence over us than we are freely willing to give him; if we simply and adamantly refused even to consider his suggestions, he could not induce us to sin. It is only when we give him our attention that he can have access to our affections (our hearts) and our wills. We have by many sins trained ourselves in the bad habit of giving ear to the devil's temptations, and he thus has often made himself right at home and set up shop in our poor souls. It is time to order Satan out by the power of the Sacrament of Penance, and then to bar the door against him by the power of the Blessed Sacrament. When he insists that we unlock the door and let him back in, we simply refuse to listen to him. We absolutely refuse to give him and his temptations our attention.