First Sunday in Lent 2025

When you hear mention of the wilderness in our readings this morning, you need to think in terms of a desert wilderness, an arid, barren, mountainous desert. And you also need to think of it as a place traveled through on the way to a verdant, prosperous, and hospitable place. In Israel’s case it was to a land flowing with milk and honey. In Jesus’ case it was on a path leading to a Cross before His elevation to God’s right Hand. And for Christian pilgrims, for us, it is to the Celestial City from whose throne flows the River of Life. In each case, it is a difficult way full of temptations. And there is one factor, above all else, that will see the traveler through…