Fast from self-reliance this Lent

Bishop Peter Christensen (center) presided at Mass on Feb. 8 during ICYC. Father Augustine Wetta (left) and Father Caleb Vogel (center left) concelebrated. Deacon Miguel Serna (left) and Deacon Jason Batalden (right) assisted.  (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

By Emily Woodham

Staff Writer 

When Jesus told the Apostles about His 40 days in the desert, “He wanted them, and all of us, to know to put our trust and hope in the Lord,” said Bishop Peter F. Christensen during his homily for the first Sunday of Lent at the Idaho Catholic Youth Convention (ICYC) at the Ford Idaho Center adjunct sports arena in Nampa.

Bishop Peter noted that “Jesus had already experienced the beautiful voice of God saying, ‘You are my beloved Son’ at His baptism. “With that, Jesus knew His identity. He fasted in the desert to bring His life entirely to the Father.”

Jesus was tempted when he was weakest and most vulnerable, to act apart from His Father, explained Bishop Peter. These included turning stones into bread, being given power over kingdoms, and jumping off the parapet to see if God could be trusted. Jesus responded to these temptations of self-reliance with scripture.

“These scriptures gave Jesus hope and perseverance, which gave Him even greater freedom,” he said. “Jesus tells His disciples and each of us, ‘Put your trust and hope in the Lord. He will be your strength, and He will deliver you.’”

Bishop Peter shared his story of being hospitalized in the intensive care unit last year. “I was attacked by a virus called Guillain-Barre that went after my nerves, beginning with my toes.”

He explained that a scripture passage, Isaiah 60:22, came to him: “When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”

“There were times I was wondering, ‘When’s that time coming, Lord? This is going on forever.’ It was a step-by-step encounter.”

After six days in the ICU, Bishop Peter could barely stand, walk, or do anything with dexterity. As his long recovery from the virus continued, he reflected on Isaiah 42:16: “I will lead the blind on their journey. On paths unknown, I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make crooked ways straight.”

“My brothers and sisters, I held onto these words. They gave me tremendous hope. I felt like I was blind. I wasn’t sure how to take the next step. I had to cancel a ton of stuff. I’m so grateful for the hope I received in those two scriptures and others. The Lord had my back. The Lord knew what I could handle. Jesus has led the way by example.”

He said St. Catherine of Siena understood the importance of knowing that she needed to rely on God. In a vision, God said to her, “Catherine, you are she who is not. I am He who is.” Bishop Peter explained that this means we must live in the right order, remembering we only exist because of Him, and He keeps us in existence. He is God, and we are not.

“In this right order, we understand ourselves and others. This is very humbling, but He cares for us. I think the Lord might be saying to us during this time of Lent, ‘Fast from your self-sufficiency, fast from your self-reliance. Rely on me for your true identity and for all that you need. You are mine. You are beloved. You are a child of God. I will lead you if you just hold on to my hand. I will be with you.’”

As we move forward as pilgrims of hope, relying on God and His loving care, Bishop Peter concluded, “People will see something in you that will bring them a great comfort of peace.” 

• Paloma Castillo from St. Bernard’s in Blackfoot solemnly prays during a moment of reflection. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

• Sarah Carrillo, Nicky Serrato, Camila Reyes, Sarai Contreras, Karen Contreras and Marta del Toro from St. Elizabeth in Gooding and St. Charles Borromeo in Hailey, enjoying ICYC. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

• Members of the God Squad sing with passion during ICYC. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

• Father Augustine Torres holds up his “weapon of choice” against the wickedness and snares of the devil—the Holy Rosary. (ICR Photo/Philip Janquart)

• Top left, The God Squad sing “Wherever I Go” by We the Kingdom. (ICR Photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

• Father John Mosier, pastor of St. Mark’s in Boise, carries the Monstrance during Adoration. (ICR Photo/Joe Egbert)