Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights…(Mathew 4:1-2). As Lord Jesus began His ministry, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. In the desert there is nothing to satisfy our senses. It is here that our body with all its senses craves for worldly pleasures. As we fast more and more being away from the world, we become aware how much we have been enslaved by the pleasures and wealth of this world. Fasting does not consist just in depriving ourselves from food. Real fasting involves controlling of all sensual pleasures and cravings.

Mr. John D’Cruz was a very devout Catholic from his childhood. He sacrificed his higher studies to help his poor parents and 7 brothers and sisters. He worked as a domestic servant in Mumbai and then worked in Kuwait. He gave all his salary for the welfare of his parents and dear ones. God blessed him financially. Now he is married and has three wonderful children. He has gained a lot of wealth, fame and name. But he was not happy. He heard in one preaching, “What does it profit them if they gain the whole world but lose or forfeit themselves?” (Luke 9:25). He realized the cause of his dissatisfaction in life. He had earned everything in life, but had become enslaved to drinking alcohol, smoking, pride in wealth and many evil habits. He tried to get rid of them but it was not easy. It was after going through four weeks of retreat, he could experience the heavenly freedom that Jesus gives!

“Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Unknowingly, we become enslaved to many desires of our bodies and attractions of the world. These desires and attractions come from the devil. “For all that is in the world – the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, the pride in riches – comes not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16). We have overcome the world and the ruler of this world, Satan. To fight a spiritual warfare, the Holy Church gives us a period of Spiritual grace. This is the time of Lent, a time of fasting and prayer. These days let us allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into wilderness and. “…In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). I want each and every one of you to be victorious, successful and glorious in your life!!

More Divine Power:

Before starting the public ministry, Jesus wanted the power from God. To receive this power, He wanted to be alone with God. That is why He went to the wilderness where no one else was around (Mathew 4:1-11).

Whenever I have to preach the Word of God, I go to the Blessed Sacrament and seek the blessings and go to a lonely place to receive the revelation from God. Once He reveals His Word, then there is special anointing in the preaching. Jesus received divine power to overcome temptations, heal the sick, comfort the broken – hearted, drive out demons, and perform miracles and to establish the Kingdom of God. Let us make use of this year’s lent to grow in spiritual power.

As we make use of this period of grace, Lent, with prayer and fasting, the hindrances between God and us are removed and the anointing of the Holy Spirit flows unhindered into our hearts. God’s compassionate mercies will overflow in our lives, families and workplaces. All bondages will be broken. We live glorious Christian lives and bring others too to devout prayerful lives.

Protection from Danger:

King Ahasnerns ordered to destroy, to kill and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children (Esther 3:13). Israelites immediately called on the Lord God. “…with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sack cloth and ashes” (Esther 4:3). Queen Esther encouraged everyone to fast and pray on a specified day. This brought about a glorious victory to the Israelites. In today’s world, there are so many snares of the devil. We live among crooked and perverse generation (Philippians 2:15). People try to destroy us by spreading false rumours, using sorcery, black magic and witchcraft, dragging us to police stations and courts, bringing blocks in our work places, etc. But fasting prayer binds the demonic spirits who are out to destroy us. “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10). Following testimony is from a young Catholic from Karkal.

I am an engineering student. My friends knew that I am from a rich and honorable family. They introduced me to drinking and to many bad habits. I could not resist at all. I knew they used some black magic against me. I went far away from my God and I stopped prayers, Sunday Mass and confession. I started thinking God does not exist at all. Once I was hospitalized for excess intoxication. Then I wanted to come back to God desperately. But it was not possible; I felt I am surrounded by a hundred fishing nets. When I heard a sermon preached on T.V., I came to know this method of fasting prayer. With this fasting prayer, I could overcome the enemy of my life. Now I have given up all evil habits and bad friends to lead a glorious spiritual life. Thanks be to God, Alleluia!

“But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting” (Mathew 17:21). In our human life, failures, debts, family problems and unbearable diseases brought by the devil chase us all the time. That is why Jesus counseled us to fast and pray to overcome such demons.

Effective Prayer:

We want our prayers to be answered. But many a times, we pray a lot and nothing happens, why? “When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15).

Once a father and a mother brought their 13 year old boy for praying over. They complained a lot about the boy. “He does not study, he back-answers, he does not obey, he does many mischievous things” etc. As I prayed over the boy, I realized he has severe inferiority complex. Therefore I counseled the parents to fast and pray for a week only in terms of what they say to their son. They were to write down and bring it to me. From this spiritual exercise they realized they use a lot negative language to the son. “He has dark skin, he is not good like his younger beautiful sisters, he is a curse, he is good for nothing” etc. I counseled them to fast from this bad habit and speak the language of the Word of God. “You are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you….” (Isaiah 43:4). “Do not fear, I am with you ….” (Isaiah 43:5). Now the whole family is blessed. The boy came out of evil ways. He has scored very good marks in the final exams and he is a blessing to the family.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3). Let our fasting enlighten us to give up the desires of the flesh and make us bear fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-23).

Let us Pray:  “Dear Lord Jesus, I am your dearly beloved. I am precious in your sight. That is why you give me this season of Lent, a time of special grace. Give me the grace to make use of this lent for my spiritual growth, to pass from all desires of flesh and be empowered with spiritual power to lead a victorious Christian life. In Jesus name I pray Amen. Praise the Lord!