Challenges of the Lenten Journey

Rite of Election: La Junta, Alamosa, and Pueblo Deaneries

Brothers and sisters, Greetings in the Lord!

We have just celebrated the Rite of Election in Pueblo, and I am now on a prior scheduled retreat with brother bishops in Florida.  These Rites will be completed in Durango and Grand Junction upon my return, and I wish to share some thoughts about their significance.  Let’s recall the Gospel reading from the Rite, Matthew 4:1-11.  Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert.  In fasting and prayer, he is tempted by Satan.  His preparation for public ministry is one of fasting, purification, vulnerability and transparency.  The temptations are universal to the condition of humanity.  

With this Gospel reading, our OCIA candidates, now the elect, are ushered into the final phase of their journey into full communion in the Church.  In reflection upon the three temptations—of pride, willfulness and the sinful presumption of God’s grace—in short, placing oneself before God—now, the final scrutinies of discernment have begun.  Our elect have come to us seeking something more fulfilling and complete in their lives.  Their quest has led them into our journey, now to contemplate the cross, and the temptations which comprise its challenge and obstacles.

"Our elect have come to us seeking something more fulfilling and complete in their lives." 

We, too, must confront these challenges.  To be sure, we may be okay, morally speaking, with some nagging sins yet to be reconciled.  However, there are certainly serious distractions and disappointments ahead and the cross becomes ever more important.  In fact, the closer we desire to walk with Jesus, the struggle will appear to become more difficult.  Pride will always be with us, demonstrated in carelessness in prayer, loss of respect for ourselves or others, finally turning from loving God above all else, or our neighbor as ourselves. 

The cross leads to Jesus and the enemy is always at the gate.  What is the baggage we carry?  Have we yet learned to set it aside, to hit the pause button quickly, and turn to Jesus in all things?  If we focus too much on the temptations we are listening to the wrong voice.  The answer is to acknowledge, pause, and turn to prayer.  As St. Therese once said: “When the devil approaches, I am very brave.  I run into the arms of Jesus.”  Jesus alone can win the conversation with the enemy; let us focus the eyes of our souls on Our Lord. 

"The cross leads to Jesus and the enemy is always at the gate." 

Our Lenten journey is a time of repentance.  We shall see Jesus more clearly, through the passion and death to be celebrated, and fulfilled in the resurrection.  It is the cross which challenges us.  And the cross which heals.  Let us be strengthened in our journey, to walk with Jesus through these days.  May our Lent bring us renewal in Christ, into the joy of Easter.      

+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg

Bishop of Pueblo

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