Desert Perspectives

Dear Sisters in Christ,

Lenten greetings to you! 

This penitential season is often compared to the desert, a simile I have been pondering recently. As a three-time resident of Fort Bliss, I have spent some time in the actual desert so this comparison always grabs my attention. 

At first glance, the desert can seem empty or barren. The first time I visited the high desert of far West Texas, I was struck by the lack of trees or even large bushes. But when I looked closer, I realized how vividly alive the desert is with life. That life is perhaps different than I expected – it isn’t the green fields or rolling hills or forests of other landscapes, but a more subtle life. Lent, too, can feel a bit barren if we focus only on the things that are stripped away during this time – the Gloria and the Alleluia, meat on Fridays, those things we have chosen to give up. But when we look past those things, we are able to appreciate more fully that which we have perhaps overlooked – the moments of silence during the mass, the way we can fill up our hunger, or the space made by our sacrifices, with prayer.

The openness of the desert also gives us a perspective that we might not have elsewhere in our lives. I love hiking in the woods, surrounded by trees, but there is something about the view from the top of a desert mountain that is without comparison. How far can you see when nothing is obstructing your view? Lent is like this, too. When we cut distractions from our lives through the pillars of lent – prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – we can see more clearly where God is calling us. 

In this issue of The Well, you will find a beautiful reflection from our Director of Faith Formation, Kitty Eisenbeil, about entering the Lenten desert through simple (not overwhelming!) ways to pray, fast, and give while growing closer to Christ. 

You will also find articles about Forum and MCCW’s upcoming discernment process, where we will select women to lead MCCW for the next two years. I pray that from your Lenten desert vista, you can see where God may be calling you to be a part of Forum or to serve as a leader in this wonderful ministry. 

Finally, our Director of Stewardship, Jamie Simpson-Smith, invites you to remember MCCW when you consider the ways you will give during Lent. Even the smallest gifts enable MCCW to connect, unite, and inspire more Catholic military women. 

As always, know that my prayers, and the prayers of the MCCW team, are with you. We pray that you experience the subtle beauty of this desert season as we journey together toward Calvary, and Easter beyond. 

In Christ,

Kim Miller
MCCW President, 2018-2022