Conquering the Desert Within Ourselves

Author: Fr. Nelson Joy Antony
Faith in the wilderness
Reflection Date: March 09, 2025 First Sunday of Lent
Daily Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13

Today’s readings invite us into a powerful reflection on faith—faith that endures trials, resists temptation, and professes the Lord as the source of salvation. As we journey through this Lenten season, we are reminded that our lives, like Jesus’ time in the wilderness, are often marked by challenges that test the depth of our trust in God. Lent is not only a time of fasting and prayer; it is a season for rediscovering what it truly means to believe in the Lord with all our hearts.

The first reading from Deuteronomy takes us back to the roots of faith—a profession of gratitude. The Israelites, after a long journey through slavery and suffering, are reminded to offer the first fruits of their harvest to the Lord, acknowledging that everything they have is a gift from God. This act of offering is not just a ritual; it is a declaration: “My father was a wandering Aramean.” These words echo a story of struggle, but also of a God who saves. The Israelites recognize that their freedom, their land, and their lives are signs of God’s providence.

How often do we forget to see God’s hand in the ordinary blessings of our lives? Lent calls us to pause and remember—to look back on our journeys, on the deserts we have crossed, and to say with gratitude: “The Lord brought me through.” Just as the Israelites brought their first fruits, we, too, are invited to bring the best of ourselves to God—our time, our hearts, and our faith.

St. Paul, in the second reading from Romans, brings the message closer to home. He says, “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart.” This is a profound truth. We do not have to climb the highest mountains or cross the deepest seas to find salvation—it is here, close, accessible. If we believe in our hearts and confess with our lips that “Jesus is Lord,” we are saved. But what does it mean to truly believe and confess? It means placing our trust in Christ—not just in words but in action. It means holding fast to our faith when doubts creep in, when life feels like a wilderness. Lent challenges us to examine our faith.

This leads us to the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, is led into the desert. For forty days, He faces hunger, loneliness, and the relentless temptations of the devil. Yet, with each temptation, Jesus responds not with power or spectacle, but with the Word of God. He does not turn stones into bread, jump from the Temple, or bow to gain worldly power. He chooses obedience. He chooses to trust.

Jesus’ victory over temptation teaches us that faith is not proven when life is easy, but when we stand firm in the wilderness. The devil tempts Jesus with things that seem reasonable—food when hungry, and power when powerless. But Jesus shows that the true hunger we must satisfy is spiritual, the true power lies in serving God, and the true victory is found in faithfulness.

How often do we face similar temptations? Lent invites us to confront these temptations honestly. It invites us into our own wilderness, where we learn to rely solely on God. Faith in the wilderness is a faith that trusts—even when the path is unclear. It is a faith that proclaims, “The Lord is my refuge and strength.” Let us profess our faith not only with our lips but through lives that resist temptation, live with gratitude, and trust God completely.

Call to Action for Catholic Living: Just as Jesus overcame the devil’s temptations in the wilderness, we are called to confront and overcome the temptations in our lives. Fast from selfishness, pride, and indifference. Forgive those who have wronged you.