Friday, February 19, 2021
Judean desert in bloom
Blessings In the Desert
There has been a lot said about “the desert of love”. Love seeks the desert because the desert is where man is handed over to God, stripped bare of his country, his friends, his fields, his home. In the desert, a person neither possesses what he loves, nor is he possessed by those who love him; he is totally submitted to God in an immense and intimate encounter. That is why in every age the Holy Spirit has compelled all lovers to seek the desert. (MAGNIFICAT Meditation, December 6, 2009 – Madeleine Delbrêl)
The desert is a place for us to confront our fears – knowing that we are alone and that no one but God is watching. It is difficult to see these many blessings until we have been in the desert. When catastrophe strikes, we are given the opportunity to reap bounty from the crisis.
The prophet Joel reminds us that we need not fear anything or anyone. He reminds us that there are mountains of blessings lifting us up daily, rivers of blessings cleansing us each day. The scourge of locusts is healed. Our storehouses overflow. Everything we were lacking has been fulfilled . . . and more. The Lord walks among us . . . as one of us.
When we go to the desert, we are alone with God and those God sends to minister to us. This is where God finally has our total attention. So rather than fear the arid places and times of dryness, let us listen for the messengers who harbinger good news. Let us allow ourselves to rest fully and totally in God’s great arms. nd let us remember that it is in the desert that find our greatest, deepest and most abundant blessings.
May God’s peace and blessings be upon each of you.\
To learn more about Madeleine Delbrêl, often called the French Dorothy Day, go to: http://cjd.org/2001/04/01/madeleine-delbrel-a-french-dorothy-day-writes-we-the-ordinary-people-of-the-streets/
Image from: https://www.israel21c.org/top-10-places-to-see-israels-spring-flowers/
Adapted from a reflection written on December 8, 2009.
Cameron, Peter John. “Meditation of the Day.” MAGNIFICAT. 6.12 (209). Print.
The Noontimes 