Be not, therefore, alarmed or disconcerted when you find yourself attacked by any temptation, but remember the saying of the Wise Man: "Son, when thou comest to the service of God, prepare thy soul for temptation." (Ecclus. ii. i.) But do not lose courage, for we know, as St. Bernard writes, that " the Devil can overcome none but those who wish to be overcome."
III. Temptations come directly from the Devil, and are permitted by Almighty God. The Devil wishes our ruin, but God intends the increase of our merit and our glory. Thus He wished to try Abraham, thus He tries all His friends. " Because thou wast acceptable to God," said the angel to Tobias, " it was necessary that temptation should prove thee." (Tob. xii. 13.) Hence the Apostle admonishes us to rejoice in temptation, and to confide in God; for " God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Cor. x. 13.)
THURSDAY.
Christ's First Temptation.
I. " And the tempter coming, said to Him, If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." (Matt. iv. 3.) The Devil attacks Christ with the same weapons that he employed against Adam in paradise. He naturally conceived that Christ must suffer hunger in consequence of His long and severe fast; he therefore tempts Him to gluttony. Observe how craftily he commences his attack against the post which he conceives to be the weakest. Our spiritual enemies are more anxious to destroy us than we are to save our souls.
