Led by the Spirit into the desert

The thought of being led into the desert for 40 days, alone, without food or water may not necessarily appear as an auction item at your church fundraiser event. What if Jesus was included on this journey? Forty days with Jesus in the desert: bring yourself and nothing else. Would there be a bidding tussle? Would people offer money for this journey? Would we?  We are certainly called by Jesus to follow him.

Lent is a life-giving season for each of us to be led by the Spirit into the desert with Jesus. The church invites all to seek the Lord in the midst of the “dryness” and discover the wellspring which perfectly satisfies our thirst, our hunger and our longing to be deeply and unconditionally loved. This season opens our eyes to our merciful father through prayer, fasting and almsgiving leading us to healing, conversion and transformation. The First and Second  Sundays of Mass readings of Lent center us on the fall of our first parents into temptation, the redemptive mission of Jesus and battle over temptation in the desert, as well as witness his incredible glory on the mountain.

The garden (Gn 2:7-9, 3:1-7)

The glory of God shone in Eden. We read in the Book of Genesis the creation account, as God forms man, places him in a garden in Eden, provides water, trees with good food, together with two trees in the interior (central) area of the garden: the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil, of which man shall avoid its fruit lest he die.

God’s genuine love for man is known. God told Adam to care for the garden. God also gave him a “command” to eat freely of every tree except the latter. A seemingly easy commandment was twisted by the subtleness of the serpent who placed doubt in the hearts of our first parents. Is not the attack the devil makes look attractive but, in the end, has no ultimate good?

Adam and Eve are caught up in the lure (temptation) of limited pleasure, then act out of self-love rather than love of God. Immediately they realize the mistaken choice, experience shame and for the first time want to hide from God. Isn’t this our reaction when we become aware of our sin, our dignity is stripped and we “cover our face and hide?”

How do I respond when I realize my sinful action? Do I sense a loss of dignity and attempt to run and hide? Do I experience isolation, sadness and perhaps, guilt? How do I respond to another when their sinful actions come into the light?

Hope for mercy

From the garden to the world, we are pilgrims on a journey back to Eden, paradise, blessedness, holiness, happiness with God in eternity. Mercy paves the way. We cry for God’s mercy, as we acknowledge our sin, the offense, the evil and ask the Lord for a clean heart and strength resist the lure of evil.  There is hope within contrition. God promises to send one who will undo what Adam has done. St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Rom 5:12-19) explains that through Adam enters sin, causing death, judgement and condemnation to come for many. Yet, Jesus shares grace, which gives life, acquittal and righteousness to many. Jesus redeems what is fallen; restores what is broken; gives life over death; brings fullness of the knowledge of God so we can choose what is good rather than evil. Our hope is in the Lord. There is depth in our personal relationship with Jesus. To know him is to know his mercy.

Into the desert (Mt 4:1-11)

Jesus’ mission of redemption begins in the desert. Aerial photos of such a desert reveal vast emptiness and isolation. It is remote, dry and baron; a perfect place to empty oneself, detach from distraction and listen to God in the silence. Bishop Robert Barron gives an inspiring Lenten homily about Jesus’ experience of temptations in the desert. He says, “Lent is the time where we are able to come to terms with the meaning and purpose of our lives. It is a time of purification, a time to detach, to go to a deserted place, free from distraction in order ask, ‘Who am I? What is my purpose?’ During Lent we fast. Why? To ultimately create a desert experience of self-denial and be with God.” What will be my desert experience this Lent? What can I deny myself and what can I take up?

Pleasure, power and honor

Bishop Barron goes on to describe three levels of temptation by the devil and placed before Jesus, who, having fasted for 40 days in the desert was exhausted and hungry. The first (basic) temptation was to lure Jesus and his use of power to turn stones into food to satisfy a sensual pleasure. It is not to say food is evil for the necessity to fulfill a definite hunger. But evil does exist in overindulgences of physical pleasure which can dominate a person.

Jesus proclaims the need for more than bread; that we rely completely on God’s word to guide us in temperance, sustenance and nourishment.

The second (mid) temptation is the promise of power to rule the world. Bishop Barron states this is “deeply alluring” but does this truly lead to ultimate good? Jesus proclaims that we are to only pay homage to God and God alone. The final (highest) temptation is glory and honor.  Here is the temptation of seeking esteemed reputation for all the world to see rooted in pride. Jesus proclaims that all glory and honor are because of God and God alone.

Temptations today

Jesus experienced these temptations because he knew we experience the exact same. Overindulgence in and addictions to sensual pleasures, those which temporarily satisfy the body, can lure one’s mind and heart away from that which is good and destroy our relationship with others and God. This does not only pertain to food but many other physical activities which can lead one into darkness. Power, glory and honor are good, but are they distracting us away from God? Are we creating idols of ourselves or others in hope of earthly esteem? What are my temptations? How can I resist the lure of the devil and turn to God for all I need? How can I follow Jesus’ footsteps in the desert?

Mountaintop (Mt 17:1-9)

The reality of Jesus’ divinity is unveiled in the transfiguration of our Lord. Blessed are Saints Peter, James and John to witness such a miracle. Little did they know how much this moment would prepare them for the resurrection and what was to follow.

They are transformed by the light of Jesus, as Jesus shared a glimpse of his divinity. The glory of God enveloped all, surrounded by the Holy Spirit, seen as a misty cloud. Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus. Law and prophecy come to the Messiah, who fulfilled what was written and spoken.

The promise had come and was about to make all things new. Jesus’ mercy rises above and conquers sin. His face shines on our own, strengthening our battle against temptations that come from nowhere and weigh upon our soul. We must trust in his example and ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to choose good over evil. And when we chose evil and do fall, we trust in God’s mercy and turn back to him through Jesus, substantially in the sacrament of reconciliation, with contrite hearts, acknowledge our sinfulness, ask for forgiveness, receive the grace of healing and pray for the strength to overcome temptation the next time.

From the garden to the desert to the mountain, Lent a season to kneel before the Lord, hands open and follow the Spirit into the desert. Two psalms to carry with are: Psalm 51: “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.”

And with Psalm 33: “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.” Amen.

Dow is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.