The Lenten season is often compared to a desert. We can recognize the obvious biblical connection to deserts in the Bible, particularly Jesus’ own 40-day experience. We can think of the wasteland within our souls, as humans existing, lonely and separated from God. We can also choose to think of the desert as a temporary reprieve from the world: a “place” to enter spiritually and mentally, to be alone with God and attempt to close the gap between heaven and earth.
Our world is busy. Entering the desert of Lent allows us to escape the “gods” of the world. Most of us cannot escape for long periods of time, but many of us can spare a few minutes each day to pause and prioritize our thoughts. We can wake up a few moments earlier or stop scrolling on our phones for a few moments to stop thinking about demands and responsibilities, work and bills, and even hobbies so that we can simply “be.” Allowing ourselves, even briefly, to become distant from the world around us gives us the opportunity to refocus on God.
Our world is also noisy. As Father Camilus Temba stated on the First Sunday of Lent, we are surrounded by voices. We hear the voices of those around us, the voices of media, and our own inner voices. When we can create a desert place in our over-crowded lives, we can start to truly listen and discern between the guiding voice of God and the deceiving voice of Satan, in all the words and thoughts that enter our lives.
Entering the desert will not look the same for everyone. Some people may find refuge in attending extra Masses or going to adoration. Others may find moments of spiritual contemplation every time they fast or abstain from a favourite food or pastime. Some may have the chance to visit nursing homes or prisons, and others may find ways to give alms more than usual. Many of us will do a combination of these or similar things. Whatever we do, however, it is necessary to remember that the concept of the desert is not a punishment, but a privilege and a choice.
We must embrace the desert. In The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery wrote, “What makes the desert beautiful … is that somewhere it hides a well.” I love the image of an oasis in the middle of an arid and “beautiful” desert of the heart. Lent is our opportunity to nurture our relationship with God. It is the chance to peel away the layers of our lives - through the roles we assume and the ways we spend our time - to find our true selves.
In the desert, we hope to find the wellspring of our personal gifts, which are often overshadowed by our sins and failings. The desert allows us to examine our consciences and repent for our transgressions. Through personal prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we seek the healing and cleansing waters of God’s spiritual well.
The well could provide the water necessary to drown the voices of negativity in our lives. As we enter the desert and strive to hear God’s voice, the image of a well can help us focus on ignoring outside influences, as well as our own negative thoughts and self-doubts.
The desert well also has the potential to provide the water necessary for our spiritual lives to grow. The seeds of faith are planted within us, but when we fail to nourish them, they wither. It is beautiful to think of Lent allowing life and love to bloom within someone as imperfect as myself.
When we do not resist the Lenten desert, we enable ourselves to hear – and listen to - the voice of God. We are given the chance to seek God’s plans for us, strive to recognize the beauty within us, and seek the purpose for which we were created.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery also said, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” I love these words, for don’t we all need time to refocus the vision of our hearts and discover what is truly essential?
We need God’s cleansing waters to rinse the dusty lenses through which we view the world, and each year we are blessed with the season of Lent to enter the desert and find its well.
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