How do I affect others? What can I do to help others? How can I grow closer to Christ and to others? The 40 days of Lent lead us into reflection on those questions and other ways we want to live the Lenten season.  Lent commonly invites us to journey with Jesus into the desert of the temptations and challenges of our daily lives. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we seldom take time to reflect on our shortfalls, where do I need to grow, amend or renew.
 
The Lenten journey into the desert of our hearts invites us to pray and fast and give of what we have to help those in need as we grow deeper into the love of God and neighbor. Each week, the Liturgy brings a reflective reading that explores this journey through our actions and thoughts.
 
Perhaps we can begin by profoundly reflecting on the desert experience. The desert is not a nice place to be, apart from being inhospitable and unsafe, it discourages us from finding ourselves in it. Why is it? Maybe because it reminds us of our vulnerabilities, of our sinful nature and how we keep falling into sin. Naturally we feel embarrassed to talk or admit our guilty, but it is good to confront it, considering the Gospel, particularly Christ’s desert experience, relying on the assistance and power of God.
 
The desert experience is a good starting point to journey this Lent. Why not consider it and allow the Spirit of God to guide, comfort and sustain you? If we honestly allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us through this Lenten season, we will discover our God given values, identity and the immense love of God for us. While journeying through the desert of our lives, we can meet them with the courage and confidence of knowing that God is with us and will give us what we need.
 
Let us remember, after Christ’s baptism, he was led into the desert, may we also have the courage to follow Him, trusting in Divine Providence, we may journey into the desert of our lives, with hope of renewal and assurance of our faith to God and our neighbor.  May you have a grace filled Lenten season.