Think of the most recent time you felt tired or hungry. Were you obsessed with images of warm beds or plates of food? Would you have been grateful for any corner to sleep in or anything to eat? Or again, recall a time of toothache. Did your mild character dramatically change? Those moments remind us that a protesting child dwells in us who wants sudden changes – right away!

 What has this to do with our Lenten season, which began when we patiently and humbly lined up, waiting for someone’s thumb to smudge an ash cross on our foreheads? Among other explanations, here is one we could focus on today. Lent is a time when we willingly (we don’t have to) choose to live without some things that give us comfort (fasting), to share things that will comfort others (almsgiving) and to focus on God more than usual (prayer).

 By going into the desert with Jesus, we learn that choosing God’s way is an extremely serious matter. Jesus encountered obstacles and so shall we. We might expose areas that need more attention, or relearn the value of patient waiting, or something else. Most importantly we will definitely have another opportunity to make extra room in our hearts for God to dwell and make extra room for others in our lives.

                                                                                                      Sr. Kathryn, pddm