Lenten Reflection

Going Into the Desert

 

Lent is off with a roar once again: We are giving up dancing and zucchini, we are journaling, reading inspirational books, and may even be fasting and exercising. However, is it possible that we left Jesus back at the starting gate on Ash Wednesday? All these good things that traditionally fill our Lenten days may be just reverent activities that do not have much impact on our relationships with Jesus Christ. As catechists and as parents, we need to rethink our strategies.

 

Perhaps the key to understanding what God wants of us this Lent is to go out into the desert and face our most feared gremlins. Gremlins are those things that plague us in the night with worry, guilt and remorse. Your gremlin is that weakness that keeps you from moving ahead with confidence, taking a risk, loving beyond reservation. Going into the desert and facing and naming that fear will take away its power over you.

 

Jesus didn't hesitate to take some desert time and face his fears and temptations. Before Lent is too far gone, I encourage you, and those you love and teach, to walk into the desert. Take some quiet time and ask the question, Of what am I afraid? The answer to that question will lead you to God’s agenda for your Lent. Once we can name the darkest fear, we can begin to disarm the gremlin with God’s grace. Blessings on your desert trip.

 

St. Anthony’s Messenger