Going into the Desert

02-18-2018Weekly Reflection

Why do we always go to the desert? We see this example in Scripture time and time again. The Israelites wandered in the desert. King David and prophets were driven into the wilderness. And now Jesus is in the same place. Lent after Lent, we too are invited into a barren, desolate place. Why do we always go to the desert?

Throughout Scripture, the desert is a place of testing. It's also a place of hiding and withdrawal. In the Old Testament, David fled into the wilderness to hide from Saul, Elijah from Jezebel, and Jonah from God! In other words, the desert is a place of "retreat."

In Christian circles, we use the word to describe a spiritual weekend away. But its meaning comes from warfare, as we well know. To retreat means to draw back, to separate oneself from the fighting. Of course, a military retreat brings its own kind of "battle" – the internal assessment of why the fighting went so poorly.

As we enter into this Lenten season, we are invited to retreat into the desert with Jesus. Attending a day or weekend of reflection is a wonderful spiritual practice. This "desert spirituality," however, can fill all forty days. We can fulfill our Lenten resolutions with a purpose – writing daily notes to family and friends can inspire new gratitude, every time we pass up that specific food item can be cause for intercession for deeper sufferings and privations of others.

The Gospel tells us that "the Spirit drove him out into the desert." In other words, God wants us to be here. What feels uncomfortable is actually part of our spiritual journey. To be stretched, to be challenged, to confront our own areas of weakness – these things are essential in our walk with God. This Lent, will you go to the desert?

From Pope Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a "sacramental sign of our conversion". Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.

With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. I will take my cue from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: "Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold" (24:12).

These words appear in Christ's preaching about the end of time. They were spoken in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, where the Lord's passion would begin. In reply to a question of the disciples, Jesus foretells a great tribulation and describes a situation in which the community of believers might well find itself: amid great trials, false prophets would lead people astray and the love that is the core of the Gospel would grow cold in the hearts of many.

—Pope Francis

Why do we do that? Catholic Life Explained

Question: At times, temptation seems so powerful that it is almost impossible to resist. How can I be stronger in my resolve to avoid sin and temptation?

Answer: Temptation is powerful because it appeals to our human weakness and our desire for power, wealth, control, or personal satisfaction. Evil disguises itself as something good and we are enticed to make a choice. Our will is weakened each time we give in to something for selfish reasons, especially things we do not wish to choose. It is not something we can totally avoid, because temptation is not something we create or sometimes recognize, but rather it comes from evil. But it would be a mistake to think of temptation only in terms of things that are really sinful. Temptation gains its strength by wearing down ourwill to choose good. If we fail in the small choices, we are all the more likely to fail in the bigger ones.

Herein lies the wisdom of the Church in encouraging us to make small sacrifices and to do Lenten penance. In these practices of self-denial, we strengthen our will to choose, our ability to recognize good, and our desire to avoid evil. The balance of power shifts from evil to good, from temptation to resistance. We then overcome evil in the small struggles of daily life and are more attuned to the prompting of our conscience tochoose good.

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