'Lead us not into temptation'

By FR. JOHN SPICER

Actually, scholars tell us that the original Greek is better translated, "Do not allow us to enter into temptation."

God does not tempt us. But because he has given us the great gift of freedom, temptations do come our way.

Temptations come to us from our fallen human nature, from the world around us, and from the evil one. Thus in the true sense of the term, we are "sitting ducks" for evil. Without help we would be lost.

But help is close at hand. For God is at our side. Turning to him we cannot be overcome. In and through God we will be victorious over evil.

As steel is forged in a fiery furnace so we receive our true growth in a world rampant with subtle, and not so subtle, evil. Such is the furnace wherein we must prove our mettle.

But remember that we are daughters and sons of God through Jesus. As such, we can conquer.

In the beginning part of the Bible we read the following words spoken by God to the serpent after he had seduced our first parents, "I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel" (Genesis 3:15).

The outcome of this prophecy of Genesis is that God's Son, Jesus, dealt a mortal blow to the "head" of evil whereas all that evil could do was wound the saviour's "heel."

Thus we have solid assurance from the beginning that evil in the world will not triumph but that good will.

The entire Bible records the struggle of humanity as it has faced evil in the world. Our failures are there, but more so our victories. God has always, and will always, "deliver us from evil."

As God's bride we will one day celebrate a final glorious triumph over evil. That triumph will forever put a seal on evil in our heavenly life.