Marked with the ashes of repentance we once again turn our hearts away from sin and we turn back to God as we remember and reclaim our hope, “because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Rom 5,5) The Spirit of God leads us into the desert of Lent so that he can speak to our hearts and remind us of the love that the Father has lavished upon us, and our Lord’s command to love as we have been loved. As the Lord spoke to Hosea about Israel, “So I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart.” (Hosea 2,16) The 40 days of Lent is a time spent in the desert of personal formation, to prepare us to live in the promised land of God’s grace and mercy. It is a beautiful journey into the intimate presence of God who desires to speak to our hearts. Those who are familiar with Lent and have traveled its well-worn paths, know that the desert of Lent is a place in our hearts where we experience stillness – “Be still and confess that I am God!” (Ps 46,10) – so that we might be able to hear the voice of God speaking words of love to our hearts. God calls us out of the world of selfish desires and reminds us of the call of love that has been written in our hearts. Though our calendars say that Lent lasts for 40 days, we know that we carry a piece of the desert of Lent always in our hearts.
Lent is a journey that we must make throughout our lives. As we travel in the desert of our personal formation and transformation in Christ Jesus we are never alone. We are led by the Spirit of God who speaks for us, strengthens us and guides us on our way. Luke tells us that Jesus “was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days.” (Lk 4,1) The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert to pray and be with the Father where he can be strengthened for the mission that has been entrusted to him and he can know fully who he is and what the Father’s will is for his life. We are also led by the Spirit on our journey into the divine life and will, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Rom 8,14) As children of God, we live in the freedom of the children of God and must not submit to the yoke of slavery to sin that the world wants to lay upon us. During Lent we turn away from sin and its slavery and we return to the Father and reclaim our freedom and responsibility to live in love. Throughout his time in the desert, the Spirit remains with Jesus to be his refuge and strength and when he finishes his time in the desert, Luke tells us, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.” (Lk 4,14) Lent is indeed a spiritual journey for us as the Spirit of God leads us and guides us deeper and deeper into love and the obedience of faith.
On our spiritual journey, as we pass through the desert, the Spirit of Love and Truth is not our only companion, there is also a counter-spirit, a divider, a deceiver, an accuser who is known as the evil one, the devil, the satan. Satan is constantly demanding to put us to the test and to submit us to his temptations. Luke also tells us that Jesus was in the desert “to be tempted by the devil.” (Lk 4,1) It is the devil that tempts us and tries to lead us away from love and eternal life and into sin and death. The devil is well-acquainted with our weaknesses and he knows that if there is to be freedom in the world then there also needs to be the possibility of the refusal of love and goodness in favor of selfish desires, pride and power. Even Peter and the apostles were put to the test by Satan, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” (Lk 22,31f) We all are tempted by the devil but we also have an advocate who prays for us and strengthens our faith.
In this First Sunday of Lent, we are reminded that it is not God who tempts us or who sets traps for us. Too often people place the blame for human weakness and evil action upon God. James writes, “Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” (James 1,12-14) God is never our enemy, he is our friend. The writer of Hebrews assures us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” (Heb 4,14-16) This Lent, remember that Jesus is praying for you and the Spirit is walking with you so that you may remain faithful in love to the Father.