St. Gregory wrote in one of his homilies that: “Some doubt what Spirit it was that led Jesus into the desert… But true and without question agreeable to the context is the received opinion, that it was the Holy Spirit; that His own Spirit should lead Him thither where the evil spirit should find Him to try Him.” Why did God then offer himself to temptation? “That He might”, says Augustine, “be our mediator in vanquishing temptation not by aid only, but by example” (de Trin. iv. 13).

So why does God sometimes permit the devil to tempt us? It is so that we might be cleansed from imperfections, and to purify further our love and allegiance to God. Even God subjected the angels to a test. Some angels did not pass the test since they were not humble. Adam and Eve fell into the wiles of the serpent because they had become proud of themselves. Hence, temptations
also keep us humble.

But how do we not give in to temptations? Jesus had shown us the way. To fight off temptations, Jesus prayed and fasted. It was to show us that all the good has nothing to do with the flesh of the world. By fasting, we train ourselves not to give in to the sinful inclinations of our fallen and corrupted nature. Our bodily appetites often conquer the supposedly superior intellectual
faculty. By prayer, we avoid temptations, since we sanctify our every action and thus puts God in all our activities. Jesus himself said: “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26,41). Without regularity in prayer, it is impossible for us to move forward towards sanctity.

This is why the Church has always considered prayer and fasting (and almsgiving) as pillars of our Lenten practice.

~ Fr. Paul

Matthew 4:1-11 hits me with a direct challenge: where do I draw the line for my own obedience and sacrifice? When I read about Jesus entering the wilderness for forty days, I see him retracing the failed steps of ancient Israel. Where they crumbled under the weight of hunger and doubt during their forty years of wandering, Jesus endured. It makes me realize that my own life is often a testing ground where my true loyalties are exposed. Am I following God for the blessings, or for Him?

I notice the devil’s primary strategy was to offer Jesus an easy exit from suffering. He suggested turning stones into bread, testing the Father’s protection, and seizing an earthly kingdom, all to bypass the agony of the cross. I see this in my own life constantly. I face the temptation to use my power, time, and resources just to secure personal comfort rather than to serve a higher mission. When I’m offered a “crown without a cross” or a shortcut out of a hard season, I have to stop and remember: Christ chose the path of suffering to redeem me. He showed me that the cross is the ultimate place where love is proven.

If I find myself in a “wilderness” today, I have to remind myself that I am not alone. God hasn’t forgotten me or abandoned me. I’m learning that He allows these difficult, quiet seasons so that I can finally hear Him. Usually, the noise of my busy life smothers His voice, but the stillness of the wilderness makes it clear.

God led Moses, the Israelites, and His own Son into these desolate places for a purpose. This reality forces a hard question upon me: **If the wilderness is meant to ready me for what is next, what is God teaching me through my life’s discomfort right now?

~ ALVIN

PRAYER TO START THE WEEK

God, Like Jesus Christ in the desert, help me stand firm when I am tempted. When I am tired, hungry, or discouraged, remind me to trust Your Word. Give me strength to reject shortcuts and choose obedience instead. Teach me to worship You alone and to remain faithful, even when it is hard. Amen.

Originally published in the Neo Jeremiah Voice of the Young Prophet Newsletter (February 22, 2026 issue).