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Scripture: John 7:37
Last week I was at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson leading a workshop. Early in
the morning I went to the chapel for 30 minutes of silent meditation before morning prayers. On
the wall of the chapel was the following verse: “The desert will lead you to your heart where I
will speak.” (An interesting translation of Hosea 2:14). I was struck by the words and their
meaning for Lent and Holy Week.
At the Redemptorist Center the desert was beautiful. Many different kinds of cactus were in
bloom and the breeze was light and cool. Yet, when I looked closely, it became clear there are
many dangers in the desert. I realized anyone entering the desert for an extended period of
time should do so carefully. In the desert many things are stripped away – our physical
comforts and our external distractions. After a while, our senses become much more aware.
We hear the noises of the desert and we hear our bodies speaking to us.. As time goes on our
experience becomes more difficult. We yearn for water, for comfort and for silence, because in the desert, after a period of time, our heart begins to speak to us. We hear the demons that reside within us. We become aware of our weaknesses and our humanity. Most importantly, the
places in our lives where we most need the love of Christ are no longer hidden. Our yearning
turns from the need for simple creature comforts in the desert to God’s abundance.
Lent is a desert experience. During this season we have worked to strip away that which blocks
our yearning for God. We have examined our humanness and our need for the saving grace of
Jesus. We are aware of our need for renewal and our longing for transformation. Yet, we have
just entered the hardest part of our journey, the last days of our desert experience. We have
begun Holy Week and the final approach to the edge of the desert. It is at this time that we realize the transformation of the cross and resurrection come through the crucible of the desert.
During Holy Week we fine tune our ears and hearts to listen for God’s voice. Since we’ve been
in the desert, we can hear more clearly. We listen for God’s call to prepare ourselves to move
from penitence to the celebration of life. As we journey through these last days, we can become
conscious of our need for water. Our yearning for water in the desert can now become a way
of remembrance, a way of renewal, and a way of celebration. Jesus says, “Let anyone who is
thirsty come to me.” Each time we drink water, let us be reminded of our baptism and
conscious of the resurrection we are to witness again.
During this week, we walk with our loving Savior as he enters the hardest days of his life. We
take the last steps to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; and then we move through the
darkness of Holy Saturday and finally wake up to a new resurrection in our hearts. Let us
remember that the journey was not easy, but the transformation of God’s love and power are
bigger, deeper and richer and than we could ever imagine. As we journey through Holy Week,
let us listen to God speaking to our hearts.
Prayer: God, help me live into the fullness of the desert experience and the renewal it brings as I journey toward Good Friday and the resurrection of Easter Sunday. Amen.
Read past thoughts
- January 09, 2006
- January 16, 2006
- January 23, 2006
- January 30, 2006
- February 6, 2006
- February 13, 2006
- February 20, 2006
- February 27, 2006
- March 6, 2006
- March 13, 2006
- March 20, 2006
- March 27, 2006
- April 3, 2006
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