Today’s title is brought to us by today’s responsorial Psalm. But you knew that already since you have all been to Mass. It fits nicely with the Gospel reading, about Jesus spending 40 days in the desert and being tempted by Satan. This is one of those verses that lends itself nicely to a short little prayer.

Satan came to Jesus when he was at his most vulnerable. He had just spent forty days in the desert with no food and very little water. He was tired, hungry, hot, dehydrated. What an opportune time for Satan to come and try to tempt Jesus to sin. Satan does the same with us.

He knows when we are in trouble when we are faltering. It might be we are having problems at work, maybe at home with our spouse or our children. We could be struggling with an addiction. Satan will use anything as an opening to get us away from God. I know this is what he did to me many years ago. He tempted me and I committed adultery. He tempted me with alcohol and I came close to hitting bottom. Fortunately for me Jesus never let me get so far in the hole I couldn’t get out of it. Jesus knows I am not strong.

Lately, I have been in a spiritual funk. I have recognized it for some time now. I have also realized I need to get out of it before Satan wakes up and comes for me again. He’s tried a few things and I have resisted. I also know that now that I am subject to even more temptations because I am turning back to Jesus. Satan ain’t going to like that. But that’s okay, I have a quick little prayer I can say in those times, “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.