Today is the appropriate time to share my one fear as it relates to my pilgrimage on the Camino Ignaciano. Today is the first Sunday of Lent. In today’s Gospel Mark 1:12-15, we learn that the Spirit has guided Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days. A place of temptation, loneliness and hunger.

During the third week of my walk in Spain, I will enter the desert of Los Monegros.

It will be during this 48 hour period that I will be without a roof and access to food. I have been speaking with Fr Jose Luis Iriberri SJ who is one of the founders of the Ignatius Camino. When I asked him about this stretch of the walk he did not mince his words when he told me ” it will be an inhospitable environment”. Encouraging to say the least. From there he went on to share with me that this period will be the most inspiring part of my journey. Sleeping under the stars, trusting in God, and being alone. My heart tells me I need to experience Los Monegros. My head is very active in working on justifications on how to bypass this route.  I came across this painting of Jesus in the Wilderness. I was drawn to his face and hands. Anguish on his face, tightly clutched hands. I imagine in this posturing Jesus is seeking Gods guidance.

We all live in a desert on a daily basis. What do you see in this painting?