This Sunday as we celebrate the first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel recalls the Ash Wednesday challenge to “Repent and be faithful to the gospel.” Lent is a time for us to do our “Spiritual Spring cleaning.” It is a time to be renewed and strengthened through faith.  We are called to invite Jesus into the deserts of our lives. We call out to God for refreshment and newness of life in his presence.

During these forty days, we make an intentional journey deep within ourselves.  We ask for guidance as we search for our most authentic selves. God knows us and loves us even in our struggles.  He knows our problems, our fears, and our dreams.  Now is the time, to turn back to God with all our hearts as a changed person who is open to the life to which God calls us.  It is in the deserts of our lives where we are tempted and struggle the most.  St. Mark’s gospel tells us that Jesus is led into the desert to be tempted by Satan.  The Spirit of God was present as reinforcement so that he could resist the temptations in his life.

Unless we are led into the desert of our lives, we may never confront or become aware of the temptations in our lives. In this Lenten season, which is the acceptable time, we are called to repentance and a change of heart as we become aware of our struggles. What tests or temptations do you think are the easiest to be aware of in your life? What is the hardest to be aware of?

"Jesus remained in the desert 40 days and 40 nights, tempted by Satan." Lent is traditionally a time of fast, penance, almsgiving. The idea most of us were given about Lent is that it is a time to “give up” something.  On the contrary, Lent is a time of “DOING” something to change our lives and the world around us. Our FAST is not just fasting from food but fasting from jealousy, anger, hatred, and all the other attitudes in our lives that keep us from truly loving God and our neighbors. It is probably easier to fast from food when we have an abundance of food. Yet it is harder to change our attitudes about people around us. PENANCE is our willingness to change and be changed by God’s spirit alive in us. Penance is not just saying prayers but living a life prayer in all that we do.  ALMSGIVING is our awareness of the needs of others who search for life, love, and help in their times of need.

During the Mass, Lent is called "this joyful season". In the past, we often thought of Lent as a sad or sorrowful, or gloomy time of the year. When we are able to rediscover ourselves and turn back to God, this is a joyful time. There is enough sadness and gloom in our world.  What God does for us is a time of joy!  We must ask ourselves, what are some of the joyful aspects of Lent? Have you come to see Lent as a time of joy rather than a somber time? Every time we consider what the Lord and done for us and how he has brought us through so many things, we must praise his holy name.