9 March 2025 #Lentwhennooneislooking

Some of you might know that I am out on the western edge of rural Wyoming, enjoying the delights and joys of Grandmotherhood. By the time you read this, a sweet new soul will have entered this world, joining a family who will cherish and adore her. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to support and love the younger generation.

But It’s the first time I’ve ever been “out of my element” for a chunk of Lent: I’m a visitor at the (somewhat) local and very small church, I’m not leading nor participating in a small group, and my husband stayed behind to finish some remodeling projects. I’m driving an unfamiliar vehicle on unfamiliar roads, living in an unfamiliar (but quite lovely) apartment, and there’s a ton of snow on the ground here in the foothills of the Tetons. This part of Wyoming is Mormon country as Salt Lake City is just a few hours to the south of us, and there are reminders everywhere that I’m a stranger in the religious landscape out here. And a stranger, period. Aside from my daughter’s family, I have no friends, no reputation, no one to have coffee and conversation with.

It's a little like I’m channeling my inner Moses of the first reading, whose leading his people through the wilderness. From the sound of this snippet, it seems like they’ve made it into the Promised Land, but alas, they have not. They are still in unfamiliar territory making their way towards the land flowing with milk and honey, trying to figure things out day-by-day, relying only on the benevolence, grace, and wisdom of the Lord. So is St. Paul, although one might argue that his constant movement from one unfamiliar to another is “familiar” to him – he’s at home never being at one home. Paul is definitely a stranger in the pagan religious landscape of the Romans gods. Then we have Jesus who leaves home at age 30 to begin his public ministry in an area he might know of, but isn’t Nazareth.

And Satan tempts him here in unfamiliar territory.

The purpose of Lent is to drive us into unfamiliar territory and out of our comfort zones. The thing is, it’s when and where we’ll see the most spiritual growth. Is it uncomfortable? Sure. Is it disconcerting? Yes. Is it hard? Pretty much yes. Will Satan tempt you to return to the habits that aren’t good for you? Absolutely.

In my little corner of the world right now, no one would care if I didn’t listen to a reflection on the daily readings. No one would notice I didn’t make a holy hour or attend a daily Mass. No one would know if I spent time contemplating the Sunday readings days in advance. I could skate around making figure eights in the frozen Sea of Unfamiliarity. At least that’s what Satan whispers in my ear. The truth is… Jesus notices. And cares. Those are the things Satan doesn’t want you to ponder. But I do. #Lentwhennooneislooking