I Sunday of Lent

ALONE

Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

Readings for the I Sunday of Lent

Many years ago, the explorer Richard Byrd spent a winter alone at the South Pole. Four and a half months in solitude. Why? 

Byrd answers that question in his book Alone. Despite his numerous achievements, he felt empty. He wanted to get away “remote from all but the simplest distractions, with no necessities but those imposed by the wind and night and cold.” 

Byrd emerged from his experience changed. He discovered that one can live more deeply and profoundly if one keeps life simple, without cluttering it with things.

Byrd is like many people who spent time alone, and came back changed: Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist… It’s not surprising, then, that Jesus spends time in solitude. 

The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness soon after his baptism! What happens to him in the wilderness? He matures. He listens to his inner voice; he deepens his awareness that he must rely on God and God alone; he becomes aware of his mission and its implications. Jesus returns ready to proclaim the Good News.

Our journey through life is like Jesus’ journey! We spend time preparing to launch into the world: think graduation day, religious profession or ordination day, wedding day. It’s a massive high. Almost immediately comes the testing time. Reality hits! We enter the desert, and not by choice! The mistake we make is we surround ourselves—with work, with people, with things. 

We need to learn from Jesus. He spent time in solitude. He did this often. Note that John does not have the account of the Temptation in his gospel; the temptation happens repeatedly throughout Jesus’ ministry. And each time Jesus overcame it by spending time alone.

But he is not alone! Mark ends his one-line version of the temptation thus: “He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.” Jesus is not alone in the desert! God is with him, angels care for him, and nature is with him.

It will be the same with us when we spend time alone. God is with us. After the wilderness moment, we will be able to continue our commitments.

Will I spend time alone? Will I give up my dependence on material things and rely on God? 

May you and I discover God’s providential care and the empathetic support of people during our desert moments, and support others during theirs.