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                              June 14, 2026, Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

                Reflection on the Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation.” (3)

Last week, we reflected on the three major causes of temptation, which are the devil, the world, and our own fallen nature. We noted that God is never the cause of temptation, because the goal of the tempter is to turn us against God, bringing division and disorder into God’s creation. So, Jesus teaches us to "watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:41). Again, Jesus teaches why we must be vigilant at all times and pray, “so that you may have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). Though God does not tempt anyone, he permits the tempter (the devil) to tempt God’s people, as we see in the story of Job, the righteous man. The Son of God himself was tempted in every way as we are, yet he was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

There is a certain usefulness to temptations:

1. Temptation reveals our evil inclinations to us. In times of temptation, we come to know ourselves. Commenting on this petition, Origen said, “There is a certain usefulness to temptation. No one but God knows what our soul has received from him, not even we ourselves. But temptation reveals it in order to teach us to know ourselves, and in this way, we discover our evil inclinations and are obliged to give thanks for the goods that temptation has revealed to us” (CCC 2847).

2. Temptations imply a decision of the heart (CCC 2848). St. Paul reminds believers that both tests and temptations are normal, but God always provides an escape. He says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it" (1 Cor 10:13).

3. God accomplishes his will and purpose in our temptations. He permits certain temptations and allows us to go through tests and trials in order to accomplish his divine will. Just as in the case of Abraham, God asked him to sacrifice his son. When God saw Abraham’s obedience and faith, he made him the father of many nations and generations. He is praised today as the “father of faith.” Through the temptations and trials of Jesus, God accomplished our salvation and brought us eternal life.

Temptations and trials help us “to train ourselves to be godly” (1 Tim 4:7). They help us to become channels of grace to others. When we overcome our temptations and trials like the Saints did, we too can become a source of strength and an example for others.

Therefore, when we pray this petition, let us ask God for these graces: a discerning heart to recognize God’s grace in times of trials and temptations; the strength to fight the good fight and overthrow the tempter, just as Jesus did in the wilderness and at the Garden of Gethsemane; and the ability to become good examples and channels of grace to others who are being tempted in many ways. In our trials and temptations, we must never forget that God always fights for us, not against us. — Fr. Jesu