We always begin the season of Lent, first Sunday, with Jesus going into the desert, sent there by the Holy Spirit to be tested. This year, we focus on Mark’s account.

All of us are tested, tempted, even Our Lord Himself. For purposes of reflection, put yourself in Jesus’ place for a moment. We all go into the desert from time to time. Sometimes life itself takes us there, with the loss of a loved one, or loss of a job or promotion, or our health, or when we feel we have lost our purpose, for example. Our faith can be really tested at those times. It can cause us to wonder whether God really loves us, whether He is still with us.

Lent is a time of entering into our own desert, led by the Holy Spirit as we are encouraged to back away from a few of life’s pleasures, pleasures which may distract us from reflecting on the more important things in life.

Lent is a time to reject Satan and his empty promises, as Jesus did.

Lent is a time especially for us to focus on the Lord, to place Him at the center of our lives.

Lent is a time to live for Him and to surrender for others.

It is important to be mindful of the fact that eternal life with God is ahead for us if we remain faithful to Our Lord Jesus, and to follow Him.

It is important to be mindful of the fact that despite our troubles and our doubts, the Lord always loves us, and is always with us, even in our desert times.