Tag: temptation

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The IMITATION of CHRIST, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 5 April – TEMPTATION

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 5 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

TEMPTATION

“Still we must watch,” The Imitation of Christ continues, “especially in the beginning of temptation, for then the enemy is more easily overcome, if he be not suffered to enter the door of the mind but, is withstood upon the threshold, the very moment that he knocks. Whence a certain one has said: ‘Resist beginning; all too late the cure, when ills have gathered strength, by long delay’ (Ovid. Remedia Amoris 5:91). For first there comes into the mind a simple thought, then a strong imagination afterward delights and the evil notion [gains power] and [then come] consent” (Bk 1 c 13).

It is worth meditating on this vivid description of the psychology of temptation and of the simplest remedy, by which it can be combated.
Every temptation is first presented to the mind as a simple thought.
If a man is determined enough, it is quite easy to reject it immediately.
If there is any delay, however, the concept is clothed by the imagination and projected in vivid colours until it arouses the evil inclinations of the senses.
In this way, the idea takes possession of the mind, so that it is almost impossible to set it free.

We must be ready to face such an idea before it takes possession of us.
We should treat it as we would a serpent, not pausing to examine it but, taking to flight at once!
If we are resolute, the grace of God will ensure our safety!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/31/thought-for-the-day-31-march-temptation/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 28 March – TEMPTATION

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 28 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

TEMPTATION

“Why does God allow us to endure tempations?
According to spiritual writers, there are two main reasons.

(1) because God wishes us to be humble and not to depend too much on ourselves.
Before he was tempted, St Peter boasted that he would never deny his Master.
When he was tempted, he fell and recognised his weakness.

(2) Because by resisting temptations, we can show our love for Jesus and our readiness to sacrifice everything for Him

Temptations, therefore, can teach us humility, teach us to rely on God alone and can help us to store up merit for our souls.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/31/thought-for-the-day-31-march-temptation/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/26/thought-for-the-day-26-july-temptation/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2023, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 26 February – TEMPTATION

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 26 February – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 4:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My son, when you come to serve God,
prepare your soul for temptation.”
Ecclus. Sirach 2:1

“At that time Jesus
was led by the Spirit
into the desert,
to be tempted by the devil.”
Matthew 4:1

TEMPTATION
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“IN THE FIRST PLACE, I note that although no-one can be exempt from temptation, still no-one should seek it or go of his own accord, to the place where it may be found, for undoubtedly, he who loves it will perish in it (Ecclus (Sirach 3:27).
That is why the Evangelist says that Our Lord was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted – it was not then by His choice (I am speaking with regard to His human nature) that He went to the place of temptation but, He was led by the obedience He owed to His heavenly Father. …

If we are led by the Spirit of God to the place of temptation, we should not fear but should be assured that He will render us victorious! (1 Cor 10:13).
But, we must not seek temptation, nor go out to allure it, however holy and generous we may think ourselves to be, for we are not more valiant than David, nor than our Divine Master Himself, Who did not choose to seek it.
Our enemy is like a chained dog – if we do not approach, it will do us no harm, even though it tries to frighten us by barking at us. …

… No-one who comes to serve God can avoid temptations.
… The great Apostle, St Paul, as soon as he had given himself to the Divine service and ranged himself on the side of Christianity, was immediately tempted for the rest of his life. (2 Cor 12:7). While he was an enemy of God and persecuted the Christians, he did not feel the attack of any temptation, or at least he has given us no testimony of it in his writings. But he did when he was converted by Our Lord.

Thus, it is a very necessary practice, to prepare our soul for temptation. That is, wherever we may be and however perfect we may be, we must rest assured that temptation will attack us.
Hence, we ought to be so disposed and to provide ourselves with the weapons necessary to fight valiantly in order to carry off the victory – since the crown is only for the combatants and conquerors! (2 Tim 2:5; Jas 1:12).
We ought never to trust in our own strength or in our courage and go out to seek temptation, thinking to confound it but, … if we encounter it, we must remain firm in the confidence which we ought to have that He will strengthen us against the attacks of our enemy, however furious they may be!.” (Extract-Sermon 1st Sunday of Lent – 13 February 1622).