The Desert (Lent, 1st Sunday) (2016-02-14)

Sunday 14 February 2016

1^st Sunday of Lent

•  Deuteronomy 26:4-10 • Psalm 91 • Romans 10:8-13  • Luke 4:1-13 •

Title: “The Desert”

[__01__]     The desert was the climate and environment of our Savior’s 40-day retreat, 40-day fast, before his ministry.

He goes into the desert, we read, “led by the Spirit.” God led him into the desert.

And, we – at times – also go into the desert – perhaps symbolically or figuratively.  That is, we set up our tent or our camp as a refuge and as a retreat.  This can be helpful to our own spiritual growth and survival.

For the 40 days of Lent, especially, we might come to Mass – Sunday, Monday, or any day – a bit earlier to find some time for solitude or peace. Or, perhaps, we take extra time after Mass, or at a specific time at home for this solitude.

And, when we are alone, we imagine that we can gain a distance from things that would otherwise distract us, whether –

·        Electronically (no signal, no distractions)

·        Interpersonally (no people, no distractions)

·        Audibly, visibly (no noise or light, no distractions).

And in the desert we can achieve this separation, this distance more readily.

The desert is known for this both in the daytime and at night. For example, the stars, planets, solar system are particularly visible to us in the desert sky because there are few – if any natural lights.

In the desert, we should be able to think, to concentrate, to pray …right?

[__02__]      Our Savior, Jesus, had the entire desert to himself for 40 days and 40 nights. Then, the distractions came, the interference arrived.

 [*** P A U S E ***]

The devil, the evil spirit comes to distract him, to interfere with him and the devil also interferes with our plans.

The experience – and experiment – of Jesus in the desert, however, reminds us that the devil is not a dark figure waiting behind a rock – or a cactus – to jump out at us.

Rather, the evil spirit – or spirits – is/are present in the form of our own discouragement, sorrow, fear, regret.

[__03__]      Jesus, we read, did not go into the desert with rations, with food and a plan to win a hunger game. He did not go with a material plan or sponsors on the outside with a spiritual plan and God’s sponsorship within.

Rather, he went into the desert to fast, to sacrifice.

And, isn’t it true that in the midst of our own plans or projects that we may experience … discouragement, sorrow, fear, regret.

This can happen whether we are experiencing VICTORY or DEFEAT … GLADNESS or SADNESS.

Isn’t it true that even the champion or championship team can give up in the midst of competition?

Even the most gifted student may bury his or her talents in the ground. In school, we may be tempted to give up because we are not guaranteed success. This is an example of the evil spirit of discouragement as a pass-interference in our plans.

God, however, does not give us guarantees of results or our money back. Rather, God guarantees and gives us his presence in the form of a covenant.

In a similar way, families – and husbands and wives – help each other not by guarantees of material success to each other. Rather, you help each other by your presence and perseverance on the path to heavenly reward to holiness.

When you lay down your lives for each other, when we lay down our lives for each other, we are also being led by the Spirit.

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__04__]    Surviving in the desert, Jesus is also tempted by the interference, the interfering signals of Satan.

And, isn’t it true that one of the things that opponents try to do on the field of play is to confuse the opposition. They try to win not only by physical means or physical prowess, but also by mental interference.

If a team – or individual – were able to hold together mentally and spiritually, then they would have a much better chance at victory.

Sometimes, this unity does not happen. Sometimes, there is disunity.

Sometimes, this disunity affects us too. There is interference or regret.

And, sometimes, as we strive for holiness or sanctity or goodness in the desert, we also see the opposite path, the road not taken, or an alternate route.

Yes, Jesus could have turned stones into bread. He could have turned anything into bread. Why stop at bread? Why not a banquet?

Waiter !

 [*** P A U S E ***]

 

[__05__]   The temptations in the desert are examples of interference, of disruption, of any disruption to our plans.

They are also reminders not to dwell on the disruption itself.

For example, have we not all fallen victim – or been guilty at times – of resentment or laziness because we were not recognized or noticed.

Or , we felt this way because of criticism.

Or, we have been in situations in which we wanted to be recognized for our greatness, for our contribution.

We want everyone to see this, to know this. 

The evil spirit is aware of this and makes his own interference in Jesus’s plans.  He says to our Lord that he should throw himself down.

Then, everyone will acclaim you, will know how great you are.

But, greatness or popularity in the eyes of others is not the test for which we are studying. Nor is God. Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

And, when we compare ourselves – our relative worth or net worth or GPA or SAT or, then we are putting God to the test.

In the desert, in these 40 days, we are reminded that we are the ones being tested but we are also aware that these interferences, these temptations can lead us to be more aware of our own value and that we are also led by the Spirit in this time of prayer, fasting, and charitable giving. 

 [__fin__]