Temptation

The temptation that can overcome
each of us, like each man,
is to feel as if we are a god, to feel all powerful,
to see reflected in all one’s intentions,
in all one’s wishes,
the will of the Lord.
Jesus experienced it
and even the holiest of all of us
cannot avoid the work of the demon,
who tempts us to stray from the righteous path.
The angel of evil has the power to help us
do incredible things, to then force us
toward the path of ungodliness,
to make us sin with pride and annihilate us.
Not considering ourselves, never forgetting
the humbleness of our being simple creatures
is the only way to prevent the demon’s
actions from leading us to stray from God’s path.
Even those with many talents
never stop watching over themselves:
we are creatures and we need
the rest given to us by the Creator;
we are creatures and we must leave
space to the other "saints"
so that they can do their part;
we are creatures and, even doing all the
good in this world, we need to pray,
to remain silent so that our Lord
can speak within us.
Not considering ourselves is the path to become saints,
like Jesus promised:
the meek, those with a humble heart will dominate the earth
praising God the Father.
He will offer us sleep; he will nourish us
to renew our forces and help us fight with
greater strength for the poor.
We will constantly seek advice
so that instead of our ideas,
we will divulge those of the Lord;
we will allow the poor to get close to us
to have a simple language
and avoid arrogance
and we will accept the advice of our friends
so that we won’t feel as if we are all-knowing.

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honour. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet" (Psalm 8, 3-6).

"My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity. Cling to him and do not depart, so that your last days may be prosperous. Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him." (Sirach 2, 1-6).
"When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." (Luke 22,40).