Matthew 4:4
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Many modern people have the idea that Christianity teaches that earthly things like food, wine, sex, or play are “evil” and that the goal of the Christian life is some sort of ascetical hatred of the world. But the Founder of the Christian faith was, during his life, condemned not for his thin-lipped disgust at earthly pleasures, but for his verve in loving life. His enemies called him a glutton and drunkard because he was constantly feasting and full of joie de vivre. And yet, while Jesus loved life and the good things of creation, he also knew that there was a time for fasting as well as feasting (such as after his baptism in the River Jordan). He did so, not because bread is evil, but because bread (and bodily needs in general) are secondary and God is primary. That is why Jesus recited this text from Deuteronomy when the devil tempted him to turn stones into bread during his fast in the wilderness. On this first Friday of Lent, let your fasting and abstinence show you what is primary and secondary in your life. And remember, it is no failure if you discover that you are more attached to creatures than you should be. God already knew it and rejoices when we discover it too. For discovery of our weakness makes us able to bring our difficulties and sins to him—-which is the whole point of Lent.
