Today’s gospel has Jesus overcoming the tri-fold temptations relating to the body, the world, and the soul (Lk 4:3-13), which, as the new Adam, canceled out the tri-fold temptations leading to original sin: “The woman saw it “was good for food [the body], pleasing to the eyes [the world], and desirable for gaining wisdom [the soul] (Gn 3:6).

St. John reiterated these lingering temptations as lust of the flesh, enticement of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16). Their sources are traditionally known as the flesh, the world, and the devil – which are conquered by the three evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience.

It’s amazing the things in Scripture and in nature that are triadic, reflecting the triune nature of the Trinitarian God.