springtime in the desert

Lent has begun. Finally. After a free for all think nothing about it do whatever I want stretch, it is time to get back to basics. I'm gonna try to love God with my whole heart, my whole mind and my whole self. Try. Simplify life.. ferret out those things that don't really sustain life, my life, the life of the Spirit, the life of the people I meet and those I live with. Like too much food, alcohol, overindulgence of any kind... and distractions that are clearly distractions, like too much silly television or silly conversation about stuff that doesn't matter.. or worse, talk about gossipy stuff. Prayer, almsgiving and fasting. One thing that helps me is to think of Jesus in the desert for 40 days.. For some reason, this year I'm able to tap into a desire to be with him. I can imagine sitting with him, walking around with him as He struggles with demons.. the same ones we do. It makes me sad to think of him there in the desert all alone and so I'll try to be there too. I know I'll fail, but this time around I really want to try. I'll get lazy, distracted, selfish, scared, hungry... but right now, anyway, I'm eager to go there with him. and meet the one he called Daddy who desires my company too. I'm so glad that there are others traveling with me as I try to be in the desert. Thank you, fellow pilgrims! I sense your solidarity and it is so fortifying.