The Gospel Reading for the First Sunday of Lent provides us with a spiritual model for our own season of fasting and prayer:

Mark 1:12-15 “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.

After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
‘This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.'”

(Via USCCB.)

For the 40 days of Lent (Sundays are excluded from Lenten observance) we are essentially wandering in a desert. We are awaiting the fulfillment of the Lord’s mission on Earth, to suffer and die for us and the proclaim the final victory over death. As we alcoholics wandered through a desert while we groped our way through early recovery, when we persevered we “died to our old alcoholic selves” and was resurrected as newly sober individuals. This is the hope for those of you reading this still living in the fear and uncertainty of the new life.

Lent is upon us. Not too late to decide what character defects you can work on or behaviors that separate you from God that you can choose to leave out in the desert to wither and die. Or pray for God’s will to be done in your life and accept whatever comes.

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