Wilderness angels

So we’re on the road now, ecclesially speaking. We’ve begun our 40-day Lenten sojourn. I try to observe Lent, not out of a sense of particular religious duty, but because it’s a recurring opportunity to get a sense of where I’m at on this crazy journey of faith and life. For me Lent is a time of intentionality and internal spring cleaning.

During Lent when I was living in Palestine, I memorized the book of Philippians. (Well, most of it.) It’s a marvelous book, full of strength in the face of adversity and bursting at the seams with the kind of joy that rends shackles. The book and my project sustained me through a very weird and wearing semester in a very emotionally exhausting city.

This Lent is going to require something different of me. I think I’ve figured out what this Lent is needing me to do: to look more closely at my life, my health, my spirit, and see where some changes need to be made. I’m going to take account of my situation here, looking at it objectively and with an eye on the assets. My goal is to somehow find a balance between living in the present - which has admittedly been a struggle - and straining myself toward a future that seems brighter than the now.

The gospel story for the first week of Lent is of Jesus in the wilderness. We remember the presence of the tempter - Hungry? eat this bread! Jump off this temple! Worship me! – but sometimes I forget that also in that desert with Jesus were God’s angels, ministering to him. I’m very aware of the obstacles in my life. This week, I’m focusing instead on the angels.
And wow... there are a lot of you.