On the First Sunday of Lent, we heard Luke’s narrative of Jesus’ temptation in the desert.  You might recall that the Gospel reading said, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.” (Lk 4:13)  The Gospel author intended that his readers would expect the devil to return to tempt Jesus again at a more opportune time. 

Today, on the final Sunday of Lent, we hear Luke’s Passion Narrative, when Jesus faced that more opportune time of temptation.  When faced with death, he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42) 

Obviously, Jesus was going to overcome temptation the second time just as effectively as he did the first time.  Luke’s Gospel intends to focus our attention on the nature of these two events of temptation and, thereby, on the meaning of Jesus’ two victories over temptation.  In the desert, Jesus was tempted to sin by choosing his comfort and reputation instead of being obedient to God’s will.  On the Mount of Olives, Jesus was tempted to choose preservation of his life instead of remaining obedient to God’s will. 

The two temptations of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel identify the two great evils that all human beings face, namely, sin and death.  Jesus overcame those two mortal foes of human nature in order that we might share in his victory. 

In Catholic theology, sin is identified as “moral evil.”  Sin is the evil that people choose to cause.  Sin is a conscious choice that estranges us from other people and from God.  Oftentimes, sin is so destructive that we are unable to reverse its effects by our own efforts. 

Death, on the other hand, is identified as “physical evil” in Catholic theology.  Death, human weakness, and the limitations of the universe are not the result of anyone’s conscious choice.  There is no moral character to death and finitude, but they still have the power to separate us from our loved ones and God.  All people are helpless in the face of mortality. 

Jesus’ death on the Cross offers us redemption from both sin and death.  Luke’s Gospel explains this offer of redemption by portraying Jesus as being tempted in two ways.  First, Jesus was tempted by moral evil, then he was tempted by physical evil.  He overcame those temptations in anticipation of overcoming all evil on the Cross. 

Redemption from sin and death is offered to us by God’s great mercy, but it remains our choice to accept or reject this offer.  Redemption, therefore, isn’t automatic; it doesn’t bypass human freedom.  Redemption is the result of accepting God’s offer through repentance and reform of one’s life. 

Luke’s Passion Narrative illustrates how we can choose repentance and reform instead of sin.  After Jesus told the Twelve that one of them would betray him, they began to argue about which one of them was the most important.  (Lk 22:24)  Their behavior was more than merely rude; it was a rejection of Jesus’ prophecy about his death and a rejection of Jesus himself.  Further, it revealed their habit of thought. 

Like most people, the Twelve thought consistently and solely of themselves.  When Jesus announced his impending death, the Twelve began to worry about themselves and the effect his death would have on their personal status.  

Immediately, Jesus challenged their habits of thought by saying, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; but among you it shall not be so.  Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.” (Lk 22:25-26)   

Sin is a habit of thought, and all habits can be changed.  It is not necessary to fumble through life, haplessly repeating the offensive and harmful behavior that estranges us from God and people.  Repentance and reform are possible. 

For example, at the dinner table on Easter Sunday, if you have a habit of being sarcastic and you notice someone very uncomfortable while eating, it is not necessary to say, “Your clothes would fit better if you put down the fork earlier.”  

If you are in the habit of disagreeing vociferously with your spouse’s opinions or choices, it is not necessary to say, “Well, of course, you think that way; your whole family descended from mindless, predatory reptiles.” 

If a coworker, employee, boss, or person in some other position of authority does something that is clearly unwise, it is not necessary to allow that to ruin your entire day. 

If you are in the habit of waking up late, leaving late for work, and distracting yourself with your mobile phone at red lights, it is not necessary to endanger pedestrians and other drivers by driving recklessly to make up for the time you lost by your own choices. 

All of the above are merely habits, and habits can be changed.  Lent invites and empowers us to repent, that is, to change the sinful habits that separate us from one another and from God.  The redemption offered by God through Jesus’ death makes new life possible for all people, and we participate in that renewed life by replacing our sinful habits with Jesus’ habits of following God’s will.  He illustrated his faithful and virtuous habits when he prayed, “Father, not my will but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42)