The Gospel today sends us out into the ‘wilderness’.
It may be a daunting concept with the ‘wild beasts’ but we need not worry. This
short passage from Mark is clear about who is in charge; it is the Spirit who sends.
Very often we need some ‘wilderness’ to help us stop and reflect on our lives
and where we are going. In this sense Lent can be
a very special season for many people and the Gospel texts offer a particular
richness that invite us to transformation and real change. Each Lent we are
invited to choose life; to choose the things
that are life giving for us and to clear out the blocks that stand in our way.
This
year we are asked to engage with the urgent issue of Climate Justice as
Trocaire’s Lenten Campaign brings us to the ‘cradle of humanity’: Ethiopia.
When we picture this amazing country we probably think of images of famine or
hunger. This biased image does not do justice to what is a vibrant country with
a reputation for amazing landscapes, an ancient culture, a diversity
of languages and food; its unique Christian churches and saints.
We are invited
into this beautiful land this Lent, to listen to people’s stories, to hear
their struggles and to think deeply about the kind of world we want for
generations to come. Climate Change is having disastrous effects for people all
over the world and we are having a direct impact with Ireland the second
highest polluter per capita in the EU. If we do anything
this Lent, please let us think about how we can live more sustainable lives.
There is a lot to reflect on as we enter the wilderness.
“I wonder if I’ve
been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this
morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I’m
not the same, the next question is ‘Who in the world am I?’ Ah, that’s the
great puzzle!” ( Lewis Carrol)
