According to today’s Gospel, Jesus went into the desert for 40 days to be tempted by the devil. This strikes me as a bit odd - aren’t the temptations of the devil all around us? Why was it necessary for Jesus to go to a place of solitude, emptiness and deprivation? Why would He open himself up to temptation?
I think Jesus was demonstrating a human experience that we all experience at times throughout our lives. These are the “desert times” when things don’t go the way we want, when prayers seem unanswered, when we are weighed down by our thoughts and actions, when we don’t feel loved by friends and family or connected to our community. These dry times often leave us open to all kinds of temptations, including despair, hopelessness, chemical abuse, and damaged relationships, leading us away from loving others, loving ourselves and loving God. We fear the desert times of our lives but consider that Jesus went into the desert fully armed to face temptation. His soul was filled with the Holy Spirit!
Jesus went into the desert immediately after being baptized by his cousin John. Take a look at Luke 3, the chapter immediately preceding today’s Gospel. Jesus is baptized, receives the Holy Spirit and gets the ultimate positive reinforcement: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” We have received the same Holy Spirit through our Baptism and Confirmation. We have the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation to reinforce the gifts of the Spirit within us and strengthen us against the temptation to turn away from God.
The 40 days of Lent serve as a reminder of our own desert times and the desolation other people may be experiencing. By praying, fasting and giving alms to the poor, we reflect on how to grow and thrive in the Lord and call on Him to help us in times of adversity.
In spite of its challenges, the desert is beautiful as are the 40 days of Lent. Don’t be afraid to enter your desert, led by the Holy Spirit, and nourished by the sacraments. May you have a prayerful, joyful and blessed Lent. See you in the desert