LED BY THE SPIRIT
I live a pretty good life, but, sometimes, I really struggle.
After 40 days of fasting in the desert, I imagine Jesus likely struggled, too. I take comfort in knowing that, because it makes Jesus feel a little more human to me - allowing me to feel a little more human, too.
Being “led by the Spirit” in the desert, I see Jesus develop this habit of continually returning to God. I could see it in his answers. Despite struggling, Jesus fends off the devil at each and every temptation - saying something to the effect of living on every word of God, not testing God, and worshipping Him alone.
The readings today give me hope that in my struggles that I can continue to develop the habit of turning to God. Each dark time, I know I endure a little better knowing that He is forming me. Every time I am down, I am gentle to myself, reaching out to trusted friends, and remind myself that God is near though I may not feel it. Each time I hear a thought that tries to move me away from God, I push through to remember the goodness of God moving towards me. In the quiet, I put songs like this one on repeat to help bring me back to Him.
I live a pretty good life. I do struggle.
However, every time I have been in the desert, He has brought me back to the Garden.
Eddie Ngo, SJ