If most of us were planning for a 40 d expedition through the Israeli and Palestinian desert we would likely consult and carry a survival guide which contains tips on how to complete it in good physical and emotional health. Contained within would be such tips such as:
- Drink x L of water / h
- Program the locations of verified oases into your GPS navigation system beforehand so you can replenish your water and food supply
- Carry enough batteries to keep your GPS powered and ensure you have a durable backup system such as maps and a compass
- Keep aware of your surroundings so you can identify additional sources of refreshment and hazards
In this morning’s Gospel reading, we have an account of our Lord Jesus Christ’s journey from the Jordan River eastward into the desert, under the guidance of the Holy Sprit. During His journey, He is tempted by Satan, who offers Jesus:
- Physical nourishment
- Political power
- Physical safety
Still subject to temptation on account of His humanity, He is able to resist Satan’s offers. Which survival skills are He using which allow Him to endure these trials and how can we learn to apply them to our own lives?
Like Jesus, we are all subject to temptation in our spiritual journeys. We have all glimpsed the mirage of certain opportunities which promise to satisfy our every need, just as the offers Satan made to Jesus would have, in aggregate, satisfied all of His immediate, short-term needs. There are a number of strategies we can use to keep our spirits healthy:
Drink x L of water / h
It is critical to be properly hydrated during our trek across the desert. Based on the conditions, we adjust the rate of fluid intake so that our bodies will function at top capacity. This mirrors our spiritualities. However, instead of H2O, our spirits thirst for Living Water. Psalm 1 encourages us to be “like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season; Its leaves never wither; whatever they do prospers.” Unlike a tree, we need to be able to move so that we may complete our trip across the desert. Nevertheless, our need for a constant stream of spiritual moisture is still acute.
As virtually all of us know, life at Cornell is dynamic and keeps us active throughout our weeks. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we are hard-pressed to find quality time to spend time with the Lord and stay connected with God. There must be a better way so that we can develop the gifts which the Lord has so graciously endowed us with and at the same time understand how they can best be used to do God’s will.
Several weeks from now we will celebrate Pentecost, which commemorates the day our ancestors in faith were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Every one of us is so privileged to have access to this ultimate blessing and enduring Source of spiritual energy. This soothing comfort is available any time we need it. We are encouraged to drink deep each time we thirst and to do so regularly. Passing between classes? Take a healthy sip. Heading off to a prelim? Take a gulp! Enjoying the sunset over West Hill or the views of the gorge you pass over on your way home in the evening? Bottoms up! Small, yet significant, gestures like these will allow you to pray without ceasing and keep your connection with the Lord active.
Program the locations of verified oases into your GPS navigation system beforehand so you can replenish your water and food supply
Before heading out to the desert it is critical to identify sources of water and food so that you can replenish your supply every several km and find places to rest. If they are programmed into our navigation system, we can plan our route so that we can take advantage of as many of these sites as we can and keep ourselves properly energized. GPS technology allows us to quickly and accurately reach these destinations.
Much as we need to stay actively connected with the Holy Spirit as often as possible, we need to identify sources of refreshment which can help maintain and strengthen this connection. The identification of oases from topographic maps, satellite imagery and local knowledge takes time, but is necessary for our survival in the desert. Likewise, it takes effort to identify the people and places at Cornell and elsewhere that can maintain your spiritual health.
As is apparent from your presence in this space this morning, weekly worship in our communities of faith can help recenter our spiritual states and allow us to make some sort of assessment of where we are in our respective spiritual journeys. Other activities sponsored by our communities of faith give us the opportunity to reconnect with each other. Both within and outside our faith communities, our friendships and relationships allow us to see the world from a different perspective and teach us new ways to stay connected with God and each other. And our conversations with older generations lay out the different routes our journeys may take, what may lie ahead and which spiritual methods they used to continue their paths of faith.
Carry enough batteries to keep your GPS powered and ensure you have a durable backup system such as maps and a compass
Most modern navigation systems require batteries to operate. In level territory, batteries last longer as the navigation unit has a clear view of the overhead satellite constellation. However, when the terrain becomes more mountainous the device must search longer to acquire a signal, which can significantly reduce battery life. In some cases, battery life and signal acquisition issues may render modern navigation systems useless. Here, skill in the use of traditional map and compass navigation methods is critical for safe and efficient passage.
Likewise, the spirit requires a substantial amount of energy to safely navigate this world. In times when life’s blessings are more readily apparent, decision-making can seem easier. However, in times of challenge we require much more spiritual energy to keep our relationship with God and each other healthy. In many cases, this spiritual energy can be obtained through more frequent and intense prayer, as well as sharing our challenges with members of our communities.
In times of extreme challenge, we need to return to first principles. Jesus responded to this in this morning’s Gospel by doing just this:
- “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.”
- “It is written:You shall worship the Lord, your God,and him alone shall you serve.”
- “It also says,You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
By recognizing the importance of maintaining our spiritual health, the primacy of the Lord and the need to keep faith with God, we can increase our endurance. Much of this can be reinforced through frequent, in-depth reading of sacred scripture and continuing our ongoing conversation with its Author.
Keep aware of your surroundings so you can identify additional sources of refreshment and hazards
No navigation system can provide all the information needed for traversing the wilderness. Most maps are produced at a scale which necessarily omits certain features such as small ponds which can be used as water sources and precise details about topographical hazards such as cliffs. Through the evolutionary process, God has blessed us with excellent senses and a brain to process their inputs. This system allows us to monitor our surroundings so that we can use our geographical position to our maximum advantage.
Much like we must be constantly aware of our surroundings in the backcountry, we must maintain spiritual vigilance so that we can identify potential sources of refreshment and threats. This Lenten season is another excellent opportunity to explore new ways to keep our spirits healthy for service to the Lord and our general wellbeing. There are many different styles of prayer which may improve your connection with God. Try them! Or you may want to take part in a new service opportunity which can help you share your blessings with others. As a penitential season, Lent also allows us to conduct a more focused assessment of which elements of our lives interfere with our relationship with God and others. Only when we have identified these elements can we take action to eliminate them or at least mitigate their impacts.
Thankfully, we do not have to spend our 40 d in the desert alone. As a community, we can help make fellow members’ journeys easier and more meaningful. And no matter the situation, we are never alone. As Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Amen.
