Moses spent 40 years in the desert; John the Baptist preached and baptized there; and Jesus began his ministry in this desolate place, fasting and praying for 40 days. In fact, Jesus regularly returned to this "lonely place apart" throughout his ministry. And in the third century, extraordinary Christians went to live in the deserts of Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, and Syria, where they sought a deeper life and more perfect devotion to God. The legacy of this desert spirituality is still very much with us, and there are profound lessons for today's Christians.
Gary Jones recommends three books on desert spirituality:
Acedia and Me by Kathleen Norris
Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton
Where God Happens by Rowan Williams
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Re-printed from The eSpirit, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Richmond
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