Temptation is a part of our lives. Even Jesus wrestled with temptation. Our faith tells us that we are meant to live our lives in service of God’s kingdom. Yet, we often find ourselves pursuing our own desires rather than God’s. The Gospel clearly tells us that true power is found in the embrace of virtue – living lives of non-violence, mercy, and forgiveness. Yet, we still are not convinced and seek things that will hurt us and retaliate against those who harm us. When Jesus faced temptation, he found security in who he was, which firmly rooted him in his mission and gave him the determination to trust in God. We, too, must learn to find security in our identity as a son or daughter of God, to live out our mission rooted in that truth, and to be confident in God’s abiding presence.