From the Friars: Not By Bread Alone
On the First Sunday of Lent we hear of the temptations of Jesus in the desert. They are traditionally associated with the triple concupiscence from 1John 2:16; the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life. Lust here means a disordered selfish desire or covetousness. These tendencies that we all have are part of the wound of Original Sin. Bodily desires are good in themselves and are designed to show us that our ultimate fulfillment is found in God alone. “I am the Bread of Life.” (Jn 6:35)
We usually think of disordered sexual desire when we use the word lust. Slavery to this type of lust is no doubt the most common addiction in the world today. The statistics about internet pornography are frightening. One example, 78% of men watch pornography. It is a massive, multi-billion dollar industry. And like any addiction, it is an itch that is never satisfied, leading to more perverted and sometimes violent content to experience the coveted pleasure.
Christ in the Wilderness, by Ivan Kramskoi – Public Domain, Link
The best definition of pornography that I have heard is anything that intentionally seeks to cause sexual arousal, understood as apart from healthy and holy marital relations. Although even an act within marriage is by no means immune from lust. This definition would include scenes found in most Hollywood movies, even many which are rated PG 13. That sex sells is a sad reality, but so also is the harm done to individuals, (women especially), families and society by lust and pornography. But first and foremost, it offends our Creator by twisting a gift that is good and holy, a symbol of His Love, into using a person like an object.
Our only real enemy is sin. Temptations come from the world, the (fallen) flesh and the devil. In Jesus, and only in Jesus, the victory is ours as we see in today’s Gospel. But we must go with Him into the desert, choosing to deny our selfishness and affirm giving of ourselves in genuine love.
Let us especially reject and avoid the poison ocean of impure images and words that surrounds us. Because unchaste “love” is not love at all.
A blessed and fruitful Lent to all!
Fr. Peter