Don Bosco Philippines South Province

The Spirit drove Jesus into the desert. After forty days He was tempted by Satan but angels ministered to Him.

Mark 1:12-15

The desert is hot and dry. There is little food and drink. It is also deadly quiet which is surprisingly deafening to some.

Why do hermits ever live there like John the Baptist, Jerome, or Charles de Foucald? What do they get in the desert?

In the desert you get nothing. In fact, the opposite happens – you are deprived of everything you hold. In the desert, because of the scarcities you experience there. You learn to detach yourself from your body and its cravings. Consequently, soon you attach yourself only to God. Yes, you only get God in the desert.

That is why Jesus passed over the invitations of the devil to eat even after fasting for forty days. Surely He was hungry but he refused bread. God’s word was food enough.

In the desert, there is the Spirit. There are angels too – including Satan who is an angel, albeit fallen. In the desert through penance, you detach yourself from your body. In the desert, you attach yourself to God through prayer. Penance and prayer are two things you can acquire in any desert experience.

In the desert you starve and God alone could satisfy you.

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