In the Wilderness

Is anyone else feeling the wilderness of this Lenten season?

*Raising hand* I definitely am!

Whether you are facing a coronaquarantine or are tired of the 24/7 COVID-19 news cycle, I think it's fair to say that this Lent will be one to remember. We can all recount the many inconveniences, including the closing of schools for 6 weeks, shortages at the grocery store, and the one that is hurting many of us the most - the suspension of public Masses in many dioceses. I count myself among the many who are feeling the pain of not attending Mass. Although our bishops have granted a dispensation so that we are not under the pain of mortal sin, we are feeling the darkness that comes with not being able to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. But even in this, I have seen the best in people.

I have been so encouraged by the many people who have reached out and offered to visit the sick, leave supplies with people who cannot leave home, or those who are just taking things in stride and keeping good spirits. They are a reminder that WE are the Body of Christ - and nothing, including COVID-19 can take down the Body of Christ. Last week I had the privilege of having dinner with a beautiful Catholic Palestinian family. They shared stories about what it's like living in Palestine. The young daughter in law recounted stories about what it was like for her to attend a Catholic school when she was a kid (the nuns pulled at the students' ears!) and about how they have to get written permission to enter certain places. But she also mentioned that they have a church nearby that they can attend. In the middle of this struggle, it gives me so much peace to know that although I cannot go to Mass, she and so many others around the world CAN. And they are praying for us who cannot. I think, too, of our priests who offer private Mass every day and how they must be carrying the weight of their parishioners who are experiencing a roller coaster of emotions right now.

I snapped the picture at the beginning of this post of the Judean wilderness and looking back, I am remembering the reflections I had when I was there. If you look closely, you may see a flock of sheep wandering around. I automatically thought about the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus tells us about the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 to find the 1 who has wandered off. I had always thought about the sheep being not too far off, maybe just around the corner or hidden behind a tree somewhere. But when I saw this wilderness, I thought to myself, "Jesus is willing to traverse this vast wilderness for ME." Through tears in my eyes, I found comfort in knowing that I need not despair, ever, because no matter how far He may feel, He will always find me. And I think that is the message that I am clinging on to in this time, not just of hope that He never leaves but that He pursues me with a great and radical love...even in the wilderness.

There is a monastery tucked away in the side of this mountain. I bet they're praying for us.