Sunday February 18th: Driven by the Spirit

“He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him.”

Mark 1:12-15

In today’s gospel we hear of Jesus being driven into the desert by the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters, in this season of Lent, I invite us to reflect on what truly drives us. Sometimes, driven by the spirits of the world, we are often driven to various spaces where we continue to be tempted, tormented and trapped by our demons of selfishness, anger, greed, lust, ingratitude and indifference. Giving in to the world and overindulging in the flesh, we become like wild beasts – not allowing our lives, our very humanity, to give full glory and praise to God.
However, we are called to imitate Jesus, who, although being fully God, is also fully human. He shows us what it means to retreat into the interior life of prayer, fasting, abstinence and almsgiving. Therefore, driven by the Holy Spirit, and only the Holy Spirit, no matter what environment we may find ourselves in, we may always appreciate the comfort and consolation of God and be inclined to always seek conversion of heart.