Into The Wilderness
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March 8, 2025“The annual Lenten season is the fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter. The Lenten season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens with the rite of election and scrutinies, and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, prepare themselves by becoming ever more attentive to the word of God, prayer, and penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises” (Ceremonial of Bishops, 249)
We have just entered into the season of Lent through the marking of ashes on our foreheads last Ash Wednesday and were reminded to repent and believe in the Gospel or to remember that we are dust and unto dust we shall return. This is a time in which we are called to take a moment to pause from whatever is keeping us busy, no matter how significant these maybe and enter into the wilderness where God calls us to PRAYER, FASTING and ALMS-GIVING - the three pillars of Lent.
Entering into the wilderness is not of course a walk in the park but it is an invitation to a space where we face our vulnerability and mortality,our limitations. It is a place where we can no longer deceive ourselves but accept the fact that our life is dependent on God. In the wilderness, we hope to once again begin to see our need for humility, love and mercy. In the wilderness, we are reminded that Lent doesn’t rushus, doesn’t take shortcuts to avoid pain and sacrifice to reach the jubilation of Easter. It guides us to face our humanity with its sorrows and joys; with our thirsts and hunger for God.
As we embark in this Lenten journey and enter into the wilderness of our life of faith where we may experience. Where we may listen attentively to the quiet voices of the Holy Spirit. The Dutch priest Fr. Henri Nouwen said:“We have to fashion our own desert where we can withdraw every day, shake off our compulsions, and dwell in the gentle healing presence of our Lord Without such a desert we will lose our own soul while preaching the gospel to others. But with such a spiritual abode, we will become increasingly conformed to him in whose Name we minister.”
