Episode 2523: Seeking God's Kingdom in the Midst of Temptation - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received
from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have
committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed
Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear
Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor
sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
Seeking God's Kingdom in the Midst of Temptation
Welcome to today’s episode, where we’ll reflect on the power of seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else, as Jesus commands in Matthew 6:33. We’ll also explore the mystery of human freedom in the face of temptation, drawing wisdom from Fr. Basil W. Maturin’s insight on our struggle to hold onto our sense of liberty during moments of trial.
We all know the words of Jesus, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” But how often do we find ourselves torn between that higher calling and the temptations that the world, and even our own hearts, present to us? It’s easy to speak of prioritizing God’s kingdom, but in the moments of decision—especially when faced with temptation—it’s a different story. We might have clarity and strength beforehand and maybe even after, but during the temptation itself, our freedom seems to slip away, and we feel powerless to choose what’s right.
This struggle is something every Christian experiences. But with God’s grace, we can learn to trust more deeply in His power and seek His kingdom with our whole hearts, even in the face of temptation. Today, we’ll dive into what it means to truly seek God first, and how we can reclaim our freedom when temptation strikes.
Main Reflection:
Let’s begin with the words of Christ from Matthew 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” Here, Jesus gives us a clear command and a promise. If we seek the kingdom of God above all else, everything we need will be provided for us. Notice that He doesn’t say we’ll be free from struggles, temptations, or trials. Rather, He promises that if we make the pursuit of holiness and His kingdom our primary focus, He will take care of the rest.
What does it mean to “seek first the kingdom of God”? In the context of our everyday lives, it means prioritizing God’s will in every decision we make. It’s about putting our relationship with God before all earthly concerns—before material success, before comfort, and yes, even before our desire to avoid difficulty and temptation. To seek God’s kingdom is to trust Him entirely, knowing that His ways lead us to true fulfillment, even when we can’t see it in the moment.
But this is easier said than done, especially in moments of temptation. Basil W. Maturin speaks to this struggle when he writes: “While there lies deeply rooted in every one of us the ineradicable sense of freedom, there are at the same time many occasions in which this sense of liberty seems to fail us in the moment of some great temptation.” We know that God has given us free will, and we cherish that freedom as part of our human dignity. Yet, in the heat of temptation, we often feel as though our freedom disappears. We know what is right and wrong, but we feel powerless in the moment to choose the good.
This experience is something we all relate to. We’ve all had moments where we act in a way that we regret, wondering why we couldn’t have made a better choice when it mattered most. Temptation can feel overwhelming, as if it robs us of our ability to say “no.” But the truth is, our freedom never fully disappears. It may feel hidden in those moments of struggle, but it is always there. With the help of God’s grace, we can rediscover that freedom, even in the midst of temptation.
One of the keys to regaining our freedom in the face of temptation is, as Jesus says, to seek first the kingdom of God. When we make the pursuit of God’s will our top priority, we strengthen our will against the pull of temptation. By focusing on God and His righteousness, we’re less likely to be distracted by the allure of sin.
This doesn’t mean we won’t experience temptation it will still come. But when we are grounded in prayer, when we are consistently seeking God, the temptation loses much of its power over us. As St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” God provides us with the strength and grace to overcome temptation if we turn to Him in those moments.
Seeking God first also involves trusting Him with the outcome. Often, we fall into temptation because we think we need to control everything ourselves. We might believe that giving into sin will somehow make us happier or solve our problems. But when we trust in God’s providence, when we seek His kingdom above all, we come to realize that He alone is the source of our true happiness.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on today’s message, let’s remember that our freedom is a precious gift from God, one that is never truly taken away from us. In moments of temptation, we may feel powerless, but God is always with us, ready to give us the grace to choose what is right.
By seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, we align our hearts with His will. When we place God at the center of our lives, even temptation itself becomes an opportunity to draw closer to Him. And when we do fall, we must not despair, but instead turn back to God, trusting in His mercy and love.
Let’s strive to live each day with the awareness that seeking God is not a one-time decision, but a daily, moment-by-moment choice. And when temptation arises, let’s remember that we are never alone—God’s grace is always there, ready to strengthen us.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of free will and for the grace that sustains us in times of trial. Help us to seek Your kingdom and righteousness above all else, trusting that You will provide for all our needs. When we are tempted, remind us of the strength You offer through Your Holy Spirit.
Grant us the courage to choose what is good and true, even when it is difficult. And when we fall, draw us back to You with Your loving mercy. May we always place our hope in You, knowing that You are our refuge and our strength.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.