Thanks to Sr Columbia for her poem for Lent 2026

TEMPTATIONS IN THE DESERT

Dry and arid, no growth in sight
The hot Sun scorching
Life withers in the night.
Energy drowns in the still cool air
Fear cripples in despair.

Nothing to eat, nothing to drink
Tired eyes close in a blink
No water in sight
Alone and in fright
No one to talk to, no one who cares
Alone with the fears, crippling cold stares.

Temptations all around
On this arid ground
A stone for my head
Can be turned into bread.

Satan overpowers me
A devious song he sings
“Jump from this temple
The angels will protect you with their wings”.

The devil offered me authority over his worldly kingdom,
if I succumbed as a foolish victim.
I could not stand his empty threats
I said “Be gone! I owe you no debts”.

Man does not live by bread alone
Every word of God gives life from a Throne.
No matter the temptations,
Crippling you in the night
Pray to God, He is always in sight.

Pay no attention in how evil can destroy
How Satan grasps you in his employ.
Rather put your faith in God
He will save you with His powerful rod.

Be quiet, be still
God’s never asleep
For He cares for you
In the quiet deep.

(Sr Columbia Fernandez OP
19h February 2026)