The 1st Sunday of Lent is a significant day in our religious calendar as it marks the beginning of the Lenten season, a period of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Easter.

As we celebrate the first Sunday of Lent, we are called to invite Jesus into the deserts of our lives. We call out to God for refreshment and renewal. Lent is a time to do our 'Spiritual Spring cleaning,' a period of introspection and repentance, where we cleanse our hearts and minds of spiritual clutter. It is a time to be renewed and strengthened through faith. 

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, knowing that He is always there for us, ready to guide us.  It is in the deserts of our lives where we are tempted and struggle the most.  St. Luke's gospel tells us that Jesus is led into the desert to be tempted by Satan after his baptism by John the Baptist. The Spirit of God was present as reinforcement so that he could resist the temptations in his life.

Lent is not just another attempt at our New Year's resolution. 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. This could mean volunteering at a local charity, reaching out to someone in need, or making a conscious effort to be more forgiving and understanding. May we find the strength we need to turn back to the Lord through our Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving.

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 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 prayer life in all 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 referred to as 'this joyful season.' In the past, we often viewed Lent as a sad or gloomy time of the year. However, it is a time of joy when we can rediscover ourselves and turn back to God. In a world filled with sadness and gloom, Lent offers us a time of joy!  We must ask ourselves, what are some of Lent's joyful aspects? Have you come to see Lent as a time of joy rather than a somber time? Let's rejoice in his holy name every time we consider what the Lord has done for us and how he has brought us through so many things.