But know that the way to that verdant stillness goes through dark nights and the heat of the desert. There is no other way there. Do not be afraid. We must be willing to face the darkness in order to recognize the light. And the God that guides us is trustworthy and true. We already know that the weeks of Lenten purple will deepen until crimson flows out for the life of the world. And Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is the template for our spiritual progress.

On Ash Wednesday many Lenten pilgrims gathered for the imposition of ashes. Some gathered for courage as well for they were consciously preparing to risk the lives they know in order to find God in a deeper place. There is still time to risk going deeper than you might have originally planned. It is well worth the risk. God will take whatever we are able to offer, and transform it. God can change the meaning of a minute or alter the whole direction of a life. What we offer to God is the raw material with which God works. What we offer is what God transforms and then hands back. Let us try this Lent to offer much so that God might do a mighty work in us, for us, and through us, for others.

Let us turn to the Word for guidance. The reading from Deuteronomy is like the rehearsal for a liturgy of abundance. Moses is instructing the people what they are to do to give thanks well. The first element in reverent gratitude is to remember honestly who you are, in the context of others, and how you came to be in your current state of being. Moses tells the people to recite the story of their relationship with God even as they approach God's altar. God is ever faithful, but if told in truth this story of remembrance is always a story of bondage and freedom, of terror and glory.

The ancient Hebrews were wanderers, then slaves. In desert time they moved from disorder to more conscious alignment with, and acknowledgement of God, who in time gifted them with a land flowing with milk and honey.

God's people are those who have passed through the furnace, been made malleable in the fire, and then been formed by the mighty acts of God.

Moses called upon the people to give thanks for all they had received from God, and to place a token of the best they had to offer, on the altar, as a pledge of their coming tithe.

We are the spiritual progeny of these ancient Hebrews, sharers of their stories and similarly called to remember God's faithfulness and to respond well.

Let us remember who we are. God has given us everything we possess too. Let us respond by giving abundantly from the fruit of our labor. Let our current gift be a token of our tithe to come. May we grow day by day, and year by year, in our ability to give to God so that God may transform more of our common life to His use. Come to the Lenten and Holy Week liturgies. In worship our gratitude deepens, and so will our response.

Remember that God is faithful, and believe in Him. Paul tells the Romans that "the word is near you…" Paul promises that the saving grace of God is just a matter of confession and belief in the right role of the risen Christ - Jesus is Lord. But how hard these simple words of assent can be. Paul presents a stance that clearly demands more from us than just intellectual inquiry. God is not a watch to be taken apart in the hopes that we will understand what makes God tick.

God is our Maker not the work of our hands. We are the creatures who are made. We simply cannot understand God in God's fullness. Does this mean that we should not study and seek deeper understanding, certainly not! But Paul tells us that one believes with the heart. So, if our relationship with God is mostly in our heads, let us risk placing our hearts on the altar too this Lent.

Make the leap that is beyond reason but gives souls wings. Scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." What if the promises in the bible are all actually true? What if everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved? Could it really be so simple? What would happen if one fell on one's knees and tried it?

People we now remember as saints have begun in such a manner, throwing themselves on God's mercy and begging for a response. I tell you from experience that God comes to those who really and truly seek God with all their heart. If it will encourage you to know more, come and see me - I'll tell you stories. This is Lent; a time designed to encourage spiritual risk. Risk big. Risk it all. There are worse things to be than a fool for Christ. The Lord is indeed gracious to all who call on Him.

On Friday night two groups gathered in two different churches in Maryland at about the same time. In each place people explored the process of discernment: how to identify God's spirit in a situation and how to determine where the spirit may be pointing. Discernment is a mode of prayer that calls upon the whole self, drawing upon the intellect, the senses, intuition and imagination… ¹

One group gathered here at Saint James to learn about the teachings and techniques of St Ignatius of Loyola. Sister Martha Campbell, a Spiritual Director from Bon Secours Spiritual Center, spoke with twenty members of our congregation. Our group included two of your priests, a member of the vestry, a member of the search committee and sixteen others. Our interest in discerning what God has in mind for us is growing.

The second group met with me at St. Peter's Ellicott City. I was at St. Peter's as a trainer from the Diocesan Commission on Ministry to begin the work of forming a committee to help a person discern to what God is calling them - perhaps to ordained ministry, perhaps to a deeper commitment to God's service as a lay person. We don't yet know. That why were we gathering - to seek God's will in a journey over time.

In discernment, important decisions are held in a context of prayer, scripture and seeking the will of God, even in the face of temptation, turmoil and confusion. This way of making decisions is based on the model of life that Jesus presents. We see that model in today's Gospel reading.

All of us are in the wilderness at some point in our lives. Important things may hang in the balance. But we cannot see with full clarity that which is still in formation. And before we can be filled with God we must be emptied of other things.

Temptations come and the Evil One knows where we are vulnerable. We need to know our weaknesses and God's strength so that we might resist evil and turn towards God. Jesus was hungry so the Devil tempted Him to seize control to fill his emptiness himself rather than waiting for God to provide. Surely we can identify with this temptation. It is hard to wait when we want something badly. But there are worse things than emptiness.

Jesus models that our deepest need is for God. Bread can wait. Everything can wait. The will and word of God are paramount for Jesus, and for us. That is why Jesus responds to the temptation by quoting scripture "one does not live by bread alone…" The rest of this citation is "but by every word that comes from the mouth of God". We too live not by our own efforts at filling our emptiness but by the grace that God provides. Immerse yourself in the scripture this Lent. Allow space and emptiness and see what God may offer. Let the Word take up residence in you. Then you will be filled with that bread that gives eternal life.

In the wilderness the Devil offers Jesus the glory and authority of the world. Fame and power are still very seductive. Some people will do anything for it. Read the newspaper for the results of such actions. Read the Gospel for an alternate that leads to holy living and right relationships. "Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him," Jesus says. How will our lives be different over these next forty days if notice what we really worship and move any misplaced adoration back to the altar of God?

"Throw yourself down," the Devil taunts, "if you're really who you say you are, angels will be sent to save you." Jesus knows who he is, and on whom his attention needs to be focused. There is no need to test God just to please the Evil One. So too our focus needs to be fixed on trusting in the Lord. God's imagination and vision are better than ours. Spend real time in deep prayer this Lent. Sink into it like a pool of water. See what washes off and what soaks in. Come to the Lenten Study Series for support as you explore prayer with a bishop, two priests, and faithful lay leaders. We are fellow travelers on the way who wish you well and want God's best for you. Come and learn. Come and deepen your prayer life this Lent.

Remember that God is faithful.
Then respond with all your heart, your mind, your soul and your strength.
God did not abandon the ancient Hebrews,
nor did He let the work of Paul and all the Apostles be for naught.
God will not abandon us in our strong efforts, our weakness or our trials.
He will meet us where we are, and call us to where He is:
So, onward into the desert. AMEN