A Good Word
But Jesus answered, "It is written."
– Matthew 4:4 –
For quite some time I have been stuck by Jesus' response to the devil's temptation in the wilderness. Being hungry and alone, Jesus is assailed by the devil. As the Son of God, we might expect Jesus to call down the legions of heaven to fight for Him. (Mt 26:53) I can only imagine the righteous anger those heavenly legions had in seeing their Lord countenanced by such evil and in such an unholy and arrogant fashion. But this was not Jesus' response. Or, we might imagine Him casting the devil away from Him into some other desert dwelling creature, as He did with the pigs in the country of the Gadarenes. (Mt 8:31) Again, we do not see Him doing such things. Rather, the means by which Jesus responds to the devil's tempting words are to find strength, truth, and a holy reply from Holy Scripture. Holy words fill His quiver. They are not mere words He quotes, as if an incantation. They are the words which He knows are true. They are words which He believes. They shape His very being. Or maybe better said: His very being shapes them, for He is the Word of God.
The actions of Jesus are instructive for us. His life is to be our life, for we are to abide in Him. So, since the Holy One of God saw fit to reply to the devil's schemes with Holy Scripture, certainly this is to be our response as well. We are meant to have Holy Scripture at the ready. This we do by first having those words implanted in our hearts, continually being steeped in their heavenly goodness. Attentive participation in our liturgy is one simple yet crucial way this is accomplished, for our liturgy is replete with Holy Scripture. Prayerful contemplation of Holy Scripture, which is one practice in our parish groups, is another. Daily prayer, meditation, reading, and even singing Scripture-saturated hymns are yet more ways that we are given, so that we might be like those trees planted by the waterside. (Ps 1) Yes, we have busy schedules. But this is life and death of which we speak. Notice also that Jesus does not quote the entirety of Holy Scripture. Rather, it is a simple verse here, a phrase of Holy Scripture there. In times of great trial and tribulation, it may be that we can only utter with our mouths, maybe only utter in our spirits, a few words of Holy Scripture. I am yours; save me, are some of those simple words. (Ps 119:94) Yet, since they are imbued with the holiness of God, O how much devil-defeating power must they contain.
As we continue this journey through the Lenten wilderness, in simple ways steep yourself in the goodness of God through Holy Scripture. For there He gives us our daily bread; there He encounters us; there He provides us with holy Truth which is our reply to the devil's schemes.
Grace & Peace