This is the first video in a powerful new seven-part series examining the spiritual journey from the wilderness back home to God. In this video, presenter Fr Michael Tran, explores the experience of being lost in a spiritual wilderness. He also looks at why human beings often end up feeling trapped in this situation. He explains some of the reasons that God sends people out into the wilderness, just as Jesus was, and how He shows humanity the way back home. These videos can be used as an inspirational companion series for parish groups and people undertaking a Lenten prayer journey. Continue watching the series each week of Lent to follow Fr Michael as he travels across dusty roads, sea sides and waterfalls sharing the wisdom of the Church.
Transcript
Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return. Have you ever been lost? Or felt like you are wandering the wilderness? Searching for somewhere to belong? Out here, life is difficult. It’s hot. It’s dry. So why do we often end up here? St John of the Cross says that in our spiritual journey, God leads us by a way we do not understand, to bring us to what we do not possess. What he’s saying is no ordinary person enters the wilderness willingly. No, we are sent. And being sent into the wilderness is when God wakes us to the fact that our life isn’t where we want it to be. There might be a problem in your life, a person you struggle with, maybe you are not sleeping well, maybe you are lonely, maybe you’re anxious or maybe you find yourself going through the motions without meaning or purpose. Whatever it is, my dear friends, remember that God woke you. He sent you into the wilderness to grow closer to Him. Not to get stuck, though. Not to go around in circles. It can be scary, it can be lonely, but we must keep going. In the Gospels, Jesus goes out into the wilderness, too. He goes there to be tempted by the devil and He overcomes the trials. My dear friends, He does so by setting His eyes firmly on the promises of His Father, showing us how to overcome the wilderness as well. The wilderness is a place for us to change. To Listen. To really listen. Out here, the noise of the world fades away. Our heart speaks its true desires. We can finally hear the voice of the one who is calling us home. A home prepared for us before we were ever born. My dear friends, I’m urging you to come with me on this journey. Let’s find our way home to God. Whether you’re here, or here or here. Because, like you, I want my life to mean something. I want a life of purpose, of dignity, a life that is a gift to others. And if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, He will guide us home.