Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Today we step once again into the desert of Lent. It is a desert that—if we walk through it well—helps us strip away whatever keeps us from moving forward toward the Kingdom of God.
We fast to loosen our grip on excess.
We give alms to let go of what we do not truly need.
We pray to expand our hearts to accept God’s love.
In this way, Lent teaches us how to carry our cross with dignity and hope, and how to follow Jesus with faith.
At the same time, the Lenten desert teaches us how to be more fully human. When we fast, we discover that there is more left over for the poor—our brothers and sisters. When we give alms, our hearts are stretched in compassion for those in need, who are Jesus in disguise. When we pray, we learn that God is always calling us to love more deeply, just as God has loved us first.
At the beginning of this journey, we should be clear about this: to become more human is to become more like Christ.
So let the journey begin. The desert is calling—a place where fasting, almsgiving, and prayer teach us how to let go of whatever separates us from God and from becoming our best selves. And as we walk forward, we allow God to transform us into the new creation we are called to be—a people of faith destined to rise with Christ.