Each Lent we open the Sundays with the account of Our Lord entering the desert. We might naturally picture Him in the land of the ancient pyramids. Or maybe the vast stretches of sand where Lawrence of Arabia fought his epic battles. This scene, however, is not one of endless sand, with the complete absence of water and greenery. The desert mentioned here was a remote area for sure, largely soundless as opposed to the noise of villages and towns. Wild beasts were the only creatures who would lurk around Him from time to time. But mainly it was the kind of place free of the usual distractions, where a person could face his inmost thoughts, hopes and desires, as well as his faults and failures.
Here it was that Jesus went, not contending with any faults or failures, but to commune with His Father and prepare for His unique mission. We know from the other gospel accounts that Satan himself came to disturb and tempt Jesus with the same matters that often lure us into sin: wealth, power and fame, sex, and addictions of all kinds. Not only is Jesus’ strength and endurance remarkable as he deals with this confrontation with the same human nature as we have. But He also does so with His divine power armored with humility and the words of the Scriptures.
St. Mark does not give us the details of this high drama. Simply a blunt statement that the Spirit “drove” Jesus to the desert, in itself a remarkable declaration. It comes across as a mandatory requirement for Jesus to begin saving the world from its sin.
Lent has ever since been symbolized in our churches by decorations that include barren growth, perhaps with cactus plants, rocks and even some sand. But more importantly, the Church wants us to go to our own “desert,” whether it’s at a nearby park or woods, perhaps even in our parked car, or a corner of our bedroom with a lit candle and a notebook for writing. Certainly, with the cell phone off and packed away. Certainly, a handy copy of the Bible would be helpful. Or a prayer book you favor, or your rosary. Give yourself some time to “shut down” your busy brain and grow calm. Then you can go on to “meet yourself” so to speak. But always be careful to listen to the Lord with less talk from you.
In this simple way, practiced as close to a daily effort as we can, that we can learn the major truths of Lent. To be at peace with the one Person who loves you completely, enough to die for your sake on a cross. To have a focus for your Lent 2024, which, who knows? could be your last.
Eight-ninths of the bulk of an iceberg is below the waterline and out of sight. Only one-ninth is visible above the surface. Our prayer life should be like an iceberg, with about one-ninth showing in public group prayer and eight-ninths out of sight in our personal prayer time.
God love you and give you His peace.
Reading I: Genesis 9: 8-15
The story of the Great Flood and Noah’s leadership is one in which the world is cleansed by water. There follows a covenant between God and the people symbolized by a rainbow which will mean the end of future rainstorms before they destroy the world.
Reading II: 1 Peter 3: 18-22
The victory of Christ over sin is applied to Christians by baptism. This was prefigured by the cleansing waters of the Great Flood.
The Gospel: Mark 1: 12-15
The brief and simple narrative of Mark contrasts with the more elaborate scriptural debate between the devil and Jesus, as portrayed in both Matthew and Luke, both of which followed Mark in time.