God is Present in the Desert of Our Lives

Weekly Missionary Reflection
1st week of Lent, 18 February 2024
Gen. 9:8-15; Ps. 25:4b-5ab,6-7bc,8-9; 1Pet. 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

In the first week of Lent, the Church invites us to reflect on the beginning of Jesus’ ministry as told in the Gospel of Mark. After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan, it’s told that the Holy Spirit drove Him out of the desert. Desert in the Scripture is often related to suffering, despair, and the moment of temptation. Jesus went through the same situation. He lived in the desert for 40 days and was tempted by Satan.

When we are baptized, we believe that we are reborn as the children of God; as a new birth. The water of baptism poured out on us reminds us of the story in the first reading where the flood cleansed the earth full of sin. Noah and his family with his animals in the ark symbolize the new life after the flood. Jesus, despite His innocence, through the baptism in the Jordan, also wants to be involved in the mystery of human life which is full of sins and sufferings. Through Jesus, God wants to restore the glory of His creatures’ life from sin.

The beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the temptation in the desert make us aware that God is first present in our sinful lives. From the beginning He has felt the desert of our lives; the feeling of being abandoned, suffering, adversity, and despair. 

In our hard times, we often attempt to seek the solution without realizing the presence of God. “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel!” Repentance primarily is not our attempt to pay for our sins, but rather a grace that we receive through the encounter with God in our lives. Regret that precedes the repentance arises from the realization that in our weakness, in our failure, in our downturn, God will always offer His love. 

During the Lent, let us humbly realize and admit our limitations before the Almighty God. May the Holy Spirit open our hearts and bring us to realize the presence of the Kingdom of God in our daily lives. God bless. 

(Br. Kornelius Glossanto, SX – Xaverian Missionary)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church this month:

Universal Church Intent: For the terminally ill
We pray that those with a terminal illness and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.

Indonesian Church Intent: General election
We pray that Indonesian citizens with the right to vote are granted wisdom and a clear heart to elect people’s representatives and national leaders who prioritize public interest.

Amen.