By Fr. Frederick Edlefsen

“The Spirit drove Jesus into the desert…” The Holy Spirit is leading you into the desert of Lent. You cannot precisely imitate Christ, who took on a superhuman fast. Christ confronted and repudiated Satan on your behalf. But because you are baptized, you join Christ in saving the world. You have a share in this mission. Though your fasting and penance will be less than his, it will nonetheless be fruitful.

Fasting and prayer is not a contest of endurance. Rather, it should purify your desires and purge selfishness and egoism, orienting you toward generosity and love. When Jesus was in the desert, he was “among wild beasts.” But you must deal with “wild beasts” within: Pride, Envy, Wrath, Greed, Lust, Gluttony and Sloth. These beasts, or inner tendencies, make it difficult to combat the beasts outside of yourself: the world and the devil.

The Christ who is anointed by the Holy Spirit overcomes the flesh by refusing Satan’s offer to “turn these stones into bread.” He overcomes the world by refusing Satan’s offer of all the world’s kingdoms and wealth. And He overcomes Satan himself by refusing to test God by throwing himself off the Temple’s parapet.

But you, unlike Christ, have your own sins and weaknesses to contend with. You may have memories and hurts that need healing, emotional attachments that need purifying, habits and impulses that need mastering. The closer you get to God, the more intense your temptations might become, at least for a while. It’s not uncommon that those who are most pure are often subject to the most difficult temptations and emotional attachments. When you fast, you may experience your weaknesses with a greater intensity.

Humbly persevere in prayer. Hold your peace. Trust God completely. Resist the impulses of your weaknesses. Take refuge in the wounds of Christ. This kind of trial, the weight of human weakness falling upon your soul, is a penance. Many great saints and holy souls have passed through such trials. And it is a fruitful stage of your spiritual growth, even if you come to an impasse, in which God seems absent. If you calmly accept this experience, it will purify you. Remember, you are flesh and blood and not an angel. You are going to God on foot and not on wings.