Lead Us Not Into Temptation, a reflection for the 1st Sunday of Lent, Year A

In the controversial Martin Scorcese film, “The Last Temptation of Christ,” Scorcese uses three symbols to represent Satan in Jesus’ temptation in the desert. The first was a coal black Cobra, raised up, hood flaring. The second was a regal looking Lion, and the third a flaming Torch. After Jesus has repelled each temptation, Satan, as the Torch, says, “I’m not done with you yet!”, then disappears. Throughout this film, Jesus is accompanied by a very pretty blond haired girl of about 6 years, who identifies herself as his guardian angel. When he is dying on the cross at the end of the film, this little girl standing at the foot of the cross tells him he doesn’t have to die. He can live a normal life with wife and family and shows him what it would look like. At this point he recognizes the little girl for who she really is and rejects Satan one last time.  I do not recommend this film to anyone, however, Scorcese  dramatically makes the point that temptation can often be presented to us as something beautiful and even wholesome. We are often confronted with crossroads in our lives, when we must choose which direction to follow. This requires us to carefully and prayerfully discern with the help of God the path that ultimately brings us closer to God.  In the film, Jesus is presented with two choices, the horror and agony of death on the cross and an idyllic life with wife and children. As in the film, the path to the resurrection and everlasting life sometimes takes us to the pain and agony of Calvary. However, it is from the vantage point of the cross we are able to see the life that awaits us from God.