One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.

After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Temptation of Christ woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld, 1860, Public Domain Mark 1.0, No Copyright.

I think it fairly easy to relate to being in a desert wilderness especially with the recent COVID lockdowns, social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and the like. Even with the distraction of the TV or internet, one may become isolated to the point where nothing but dark thoughts enters one’s mind. Often, those dark thoughts turn into actions that are counter to our Catholic Faith leading us to despair, sin, and spiritual death.

In today’s reading from Sacred Scripture, the Gospel tells us “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert…” Does it sound odd that the Spirit would “drive” Jesus out into a forsaken and barren place; a place devoid of life; one that is filled with wild beasts and, most dreadfully, being tempted by Satan? What loving God would drive His Son into such a place?

I think it has to do with how we think about the statement; “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert”.

“Drove” sounds so harsh. Oftentimes, it is used to convey that one is being driven against their will. But, let’s think about an alternative interpretation.

The Spirit is the manifestation of the mighty power of God. It was the Spirit that propelled the judges into action that saved Israel from its enemies. It was the Spirit that provided the kings with what they needed to consolidate the tribes of Israel into a cohesive nation. It was the Spirit that took obscure individuals and made them prophets and saints of God. It is that same Spirit that drove Jesus to the wilderness; that driving force to face, confront, and destroy evil.

The Spirit did not drive Jesus into the desert wilderness to punish him, but to prove to Satan that even though Adam and Eve were tempted to sin, he has no authority over Jesus. Satan tried with all his influence and lies to sway Jesus into abandoning His objective of redeeming the world. In effect, Jesus has a mission; much like when one in the military is sent to basic training to build that person up so that, at the time of battle, they may be ready to meet the enemy. Obviously, as the Son of God – as the Third Person of the Trinity – Jesus did not need such training. Yet, as a person both human and divine, His humanity was exposed to the torture of Satan in a barren and desolate land. I’m sure Satan was hoping that, as a human like us in all things but sin and, similar to Adam and Eve, Jesus would succumb to his temptations. Too bad; so sad Satan.

Jesus becomes the model for our salvation. His refusal to be mastered by Satan is echoed by every Catholic as we renew our Baptismal Promises at the Easter Vigil. We shall be asked, “Do reject Satan; and all his evil promises?” This comes after the 40 days of Lent. These 40 days give us purpose and direction; a time to recognize that Satan is in our wilderness to tempt and accuse us of not being worthy of God’s forgiveness nor strong enough to withstand his lies. While Satan is the most cunning of all creatures, we have an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who is with us in our desert journey. Just as the Holy Spirit was with Jesus in the desert He remains with us to give us the strength and courage to withstand the lure of Satan.

How different is our world from the desert? We may live in the comforts of our heated and air-conditioned homes that have electricity, internet and telephone service, a bed, couch or favorite chair – yet how often do we find ourselves isolated in a barren existence? How often does that dark and seductive voice repeat over and over in our minds that our actions, when uncharitable and unloving are just part of our human nature and something that we should just give in to? This dryness; this lack of faith is precisely what Satan drives us to.

Jesus’ 40 days in the desert invites us to find our own wilderness and spend time each day contemplating God and his mysterious plan. For some of us this might be an actual place in the wilderness around us, away from the business of modern life. For others this might simply mean going to your bedroom and turning off all of your electronics, spending time in the silence and isolation.

Where do we find the deserts in our lives? Where is the dryness of bitterness or apathy? Where is the heat of anger or resentment? Where is the coldness of indifference or selfishness? Wherever your wilderness might be, let us be inspired by Jesus’ actions and take time away from the world to refresh our souls.

So, when we are driven into the desert of life, let us ask whether we believe that Jesus, having overcome all temptation, is with us or whether Satan, who drives us to despair, is our master.

May this be our prayer: Lord God, this Lent wash away all our doubts about your love for us and for all your creation, that we may proclaim your goodness. May we enter the desert of silence and contemplate your majesty, love, and mercy and, with your help, come to see and love in others your own image and likeness, especially in those we find difficult. May our Lenten observance help us to enter into the dying and rising Jesus, that we may experience and share with others the joy of the Risen Christ.

Deacon Mark Izzo, Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica & Saint Anthony Parish

God said to Noah and to his sons with him:
“See, I am now establishing my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
and with every living creature that was with you:
all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals
that were with you and came out of the ark.
I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.”
God added:
“This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come,
of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature with you:
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.
When I bring clouds over the earth,
and the bow appears in the clouds,
I will recall the covenant I have made
between me and you and all living beings,
so that the waters shall never again become a flood
to destroy all mortal beings.”

R. (cf. 10) Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Good and upright is the LORD,
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and he teaches the humble his way.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

Beloved:
Christ suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.
In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison,
who had once been disobedient
while God patiently waited in the days of Noah
during the building of the ark,
in which a few persons, eight in all,
were saved through water.
This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.
It is not a removal of dirt from the body
but an appeal to God for a clear conscience,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven
and is at the right hand of God,
with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.