“You knew who I was when you picked me up…”

At a Mass I recently attended the Bishop recounted a parable about a Native American boy who was sent out to climb a very high mountain by his tribe as part of a ritual transition to manhood. After a long and difficult climb, the young Native American reached the cold summit. To his surprise he discovered a Rattlesnake at the top of the mountain, freezing and near death.

The Rattlesnake begged the Indian to save him by carrying him down the mountain to the warmer climate. The Indian said; “Are you crazy? You are a rattlesnake. If I carry you down the mountain you will bite me”. But the snake replied “No, if you carry me down the mountain I will be so grateful – I will not bite you and your tribe will be impressed by your bravery”.

The Indian wanted to prove his bravery and decided to put the rattlesnake under his jacket to warm him up, and carry him down the mountain. When he reached the bottom, he took the snake out of his jacket to show his tribesmen – at which time the snake struck out at the young Indian man and bit him. The Indian looked at the snake and said “Why did you break your promise and do that after I helped you?”. The snake replied – “You knew who I was when you picked me up”.

Most of us have experienced the power of temptation in our life, both great and small. It can be difficult to say no to our temptations, when saying yes might make our lives seem easier or more fun or less lonely. Usually we know that we will have to pay the consequences for giving in to our temptation at some point in time, but somehow we choose short term perceived gain over long term pain.

Despite our better judgement, we give in to our temptations, even though we hear that still voice in our conscience telling us not to pick that sin up. We rationalize that it is no big deal, even though past experiences teach us that sin begets sin, one small sin escalating into even greater temptations.

The Bishop used this Lenten parable to remind us of the pernicious effect of letting even small sins into our life – making the point that letting one small sin sneak into your life can open the door for all hell to come in.

The reality is that giving in to temptation does not make us stronger – it makes us weaker and the sin stronger until the sin starts to control us and we become a slave to our sins. Temptation is always strongest when we are most desperate and vulnerable.

So, stay strong and try to remember the parable of the snake the next time you are tempted. Try to be honest with yourself by seeing sin for what it really is – and where it will lead you if you choose to pick it up.