This morning I was on the phone with one of my best friends. We can talk about anything and are known to spend hours just talking or just sitting with each other. Living across the country has made the latter impossible. Thank God for cell phones and friendship. On this particular call we were sharing just how much of a desert we've been walking in the last eight months. How our lives just aren't the same. The same activities just aren't fulfilling. At some point I was just flat out throwing the towel in and complaining. A good chunk of this complaining was really about my own laziness and lack of motivation.
The desert, loneliness, temptation and Satan...HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Almost every Sunday I get up and quickly read the gospel before I head out for Mass as preparation for RCIA dismissal. This week was different though. I knew the "Temptation of Jesus" from the gospel of Luke 4:1-13 was up this weekend. I read it several times and had no idea what to talk about. Desert...that word doesn't even sit well with me. It's dry, hot, and devoid of life. In the spiritual life it's no different. Right? The desert experience is always a bad thing. Maybe not.
The first line of the gospel today says, "Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil." The Holy Spirit led Him there. Why? One, because it was time. Two, because He was ready. He had the Holy Spirit with Him, not to mention He is the Son of God. You have the Holy Spirit with you too. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles at Pentecost and as your Baptism you received Him as well. My friend Bev told me the other day, "Be open to being led this Lent." We are sent into deserts by the same Spirit. We are led there to grow. We are given the tools to battle through and whether the trials. We are not alone. I know very little about the Holy Spirit and He's leading me... This Lent I'm following an online study called "The Wild Goose Is Loose" developed by Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR. It's a Celtic term to refer to the Spirit of God at work in our lives. Take time during this penitential desert season as we prep for Easter to discover the third person of the Most Holy Trinity. |
EmmaMy faith was deepened when Christ showed me that I am not alone and He is always with me. So, I'm here to share my story in the hope that it helps you.
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