Wilderness of the Soul

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, February 18th, 2024:
First Sunday of Lent

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Mark
1.12-15

After Jesus was baptized, the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the Angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

​Pause. Pray. Reflect.

It is the first Sunday of Lent! Woohoo!

This week’s Gospel tells us of Jesus’ entry into the wilderness. I do not know if this will resonate with others, but for me “wilderness” equates falling sick. I get into a pretty grouchy and dark space when I am sick. In fact, I’m just getting over a cold and fever as I type this reflection.

Nevertheless, we are blessed to be given the season of Lent by our Holy Mother Church. These forty days are set aside for us to go into the wilderness – the wilderness of our souls – which is nothing like the wilderness of sickness. 

In this season of reflection, I would like to take the time to do more of what the Church exhorts us to take up. So, whether I achieve the below or not, the following are my Lenten resolutions.

Prayer. In 2024, I feel that the Lord is calling me to “pray” more. This means that, this Lent, I will have to consciously take time to pray. In 2023, I renewed my love for the Lord by spending more time with him in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The privilege of attending Eucharistic Adoration is always such a blessing. This Lent, I’m going to make a conscious effort to pray with Scripture more, especially during Adoration. I also plan to go on a personal pilgrimage to St. Joseph’s oratory during the month of March. 

Fasting. I’ve always struggled with fasting. This Lent, I’m going to make a renewed effort to fast from social media, secular shows (which I watch a lot), and being anxious about the future. The time that I gain by fasting, I hope to be able to spend reading. I hope finally to get to some of the many books on my spiritual reading list. In the process, I hope to entrust my unknown future to my known God.

Almsgiving. I hope to be able to give some of my time to different causes and commitments. Along with my money, I’m going to try to make a renewed effort to give my time. Be it to friends, family, social causes or parish ministries, I do have time that I can give to help all of the above. By giving away this precious resource of time, I can come to an understanding that all my time is a gift from God and, by being there and helping others, I am giving back to Him what is rightfully His.

As I’ve put all this down, I realise that I’m making a commitment to this community to strive to pray, to fast, and to give more this Lent. I do hope I manage to achieve some of the above so that I can come away from these forty days feeling that my “time is fulfilled.” 

Heavenly Father, I ask for your help to be able to pray, fast, and give more this Lent. Help me do this so that I may grow closer to you during these forty days. I love you, and I want to be open to your will for my life always. Help me to "repent and believe in the good news." Be my strength in every wilderness. Amen.



Rebecca Dmello​​

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