HOMILETIC DIRECTORY
The Homiletic Directory suggests the following Catechism points and themes:
CCC 394, 538-540, 2119: the temptation of Jesus
CCC 2846-2849: “Lead us not into temptation”
CCC 385-390, 396-400: the Fall
CCC 359, 402-411, 615: Adam, Original Sin, Christ the New Adam
1 – Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7
“The mind of man is like a garden, it must be weeded regularly lest weeds overtake it” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 17).
This phrase from the Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks to us about our own vulnerability to sin and temptation – and how we must take constant measures to guard ourselves against it.
This phrase also speaks to us about the narrative of the Garden of Eden, as outlined in Genesis 3:1-7. In this story, we are introduced to one of the Bible’s first stories of temptation, and the consequences of succumbing to it. Through this narrative, we learn the importance of being aware of our own susceptibility to sin, and the need to exercise discernment when making decisions.
In Genesis 3:1-7, we see the serpent taking advantage of Eve by tempting her with the fruit from the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil. Despite the fact that it was forbidden by God, Eve allows herself to be tempted, and ultimately succumbs to it. This story serves to show us the danger of allowing ourselves to become vulnerable to temptation, and thus, the consequences of succumbing to it.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks further to this narrative, outlining how our own moral choices have moral consequences (CCC, p. 18).
Where Eve allowed herself to be tempted by the serpent, we too can allow ourselves to be tempted by the desires of the world, which can lead us astray from the path of righteousness. To avoid the same errors as Eve, we must learn the value of spiritual discernment, so that we can recognize temptation when it comes, and be able to reject it.
In addition to spiritual discernment, we must also make sure to nurture our own spiritual lives. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were living in perfect harmony with God until the serpent tempted them. We, too, can live in harmony with God, but only if we continually nourish our own spirituality through prayer and spiritual practices. As Catechism of the Catholic Church states,
“For man, being in the image of God, must remain in contact with his Creator in order to stay alive” (CCC, p. 19).
Thus, it is important for us to take time to pray and meditate on the word of God, so that we can remain close to Him.
By regularly tending to our own spiritual gardens and exercising spiritual discernment, we can ensure that we will not succumb to the same temptations as Eve. Doing this, we can create a spiritual bulwark which can keep us safe from the influence of the world and help us stay close to our Creator. Taking to heart the lessons learned in the Garden of Eden, and applying them to our own lives, will enable us to grow in faith and holiness, and to live authentic and fulfilling lives in tune with God’s will.
In summary, the Garden of Eden narrative speaks to us about our own vulnerability to temptation and sin, and how important it is for us to actively guard ourselves against it. Through spiritual discernment and the nurturing of our spiritual lives, we can protect ourselves from the influences of the world and remain close to God. May God give us the strength to strive for holiness in our lives, and to remain discerning when faced with temptation.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Genesis 2:7-9 (CCC 362, 369*, 703*); 2:8 (CCC 378*); 3 (CCC 390*, 2795*); 3:1-5 (CCC 391*); 3:3 (CCC 1008*); 3:5 (CCC 392, 398*, 399*); 3:6 (CCC 2541, 2847); 3:7 (CCC 400*)
2 – Romans 5:12-19
The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, “Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). This is a powerful reminder of the reality of sin and its consequences. Sin has brought death into the world and infected all human beings with its corruption. But the good news, proclaimed in the same passage, is that “the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many” (Rom. 5:15).
The Catholic Church teaches us that it is through Jesus Christ that we receive the free gift of God’s grace and forgiveness for our sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states,
“God ‘desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth’: that is, of Christ Jesus. Salvation is found in none other than Christ who is the Savior of all. Therefore all men are bound to accept the Gospel of Jesus and be incorporated into his Mystical Body” (CCC 846).
We have been given the incredible opportunity to be saved from the power of sin and death through the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior.
The grace of God has been extended to all because of Jesus’ death on the cross. The Catechism continues,
“The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life, infused by the Holy Spirit into our soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it. It is the sanctifying or deifying grace received in Baptism. It is in us the source of the work of sanctification” (CCC 1997).
Through baptism and the grace of Christ, we become members of the Church, the “Mystical Body of Christ.” We are united to Christ and each other through this bond of grace, and all members are called to share in the fruits of redemption.
The Church also teaches us that we have a responsibility to grow in holiness and participation in the mission of the Church. The Catechism states,
“All the faithful are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity” (CCC 2043).
This means that we are called to strive for a deeper relationship with God, actively participate in the life of the Church, and show love to our neighbor. We can only do this if we are open to the grace of God and allow it to transform our lives.
We are reminded once again of God’s incredible grace and mercy in the words of St. Paul, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom 5:20). Even in the depths of our brokenness, God’s grace is there to lift us up and bring us back to Him. Let us never forget that His grace is freely given and powerful enough to free us from sin and death. Let us remember to come before Him in prayer, give thanks for his unending love, and live a life worthy of His grace.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 5:12-19 (CCC 388*); 5:12 (CCC 400*, 402, 602*, 612*, 1008); 5:18-19 (CCC 605*); 5:18 (CCC 402); 5:19 (CCC 397*, 402, 532*, 615, 623*)
3 – Mathew 4:1-11
Today we are discussing the gospel of Matthew 4:1-11. In this scripture, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness and is tempted by Satan. This scripture speaks to us about temptation and our ability as human beings to overcome it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us,
“The battle against sin and temptation will never be ending in this life” (CCC #1264).
This means that we must always stay vigilant in the fight against evil and guard our hearts and minds against temptation. To help us do this, Jesus gave us the example of how He responded to the temptations of the devil.
In Matthew 4:3-4, we see that when Jesus was tempted by Satan, He responded with the Word of God. He refused to accept Satan’s temptations and instead quoted scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16 “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that it is
by staying close to God’s Word that we can be strong in faith and resist the wiles of the devil (CCC # 2843).
Another lesson we can learn from Jesus in this gospel is His great trust and faith in God. Despite the suffering and temptation He faced, He never lost hope or faith and He trusted that God would bring Him through. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us,
“To trust in God is to be unafraid of life: it is the opposite of being fearful or intimidated. It means relying on the help of God’s grace and mercy, even when faced with difficulties” (CCC# 2846).
Jesus’ example reminds us that no matter what we face, we can always trust in God’s almighty power to get us through.
Finally, as humans, we all face temptations every day. But just like Jesus, we have the power to resist these temptations. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us,
“We must decide whether or not to surrender to the temptations. We can rely upon the help of grace to conquer the evil inclinations within us and to adhere to the good” (CCC # 2847).
However, we must never forget that sometimes the strongest weapon against temptation is prayer. When we cannot fight the temptation ourselves, we must turn to God in prayer and ask for His help and strength to overcome it.
In conclusion, the gospel of Matthew 4:1-11 tells us about Jesus’ great faith and trust in God, His use of scripture to resist temptation, and gives us an example of how we can do the same. It also reminds us that Prayer should always be our first line of defense against evil and temptation. May God give us the strength to trust in Him and fight the temptation to sin.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 4:1-11 (CCC 394*, 2848*); 4:4 (CCC 2835); 4:10 (CCC 2083, 2135); 4:11 (CCC 333*)