On Feb. 21 at 1:30 p.m. in the Finnegan Fieldhouse, Franciscan University’s Dr. Shane Owens delivered a talk on Lent as part of the annual BEHOLD campuswide retreat. 

Owens began his talk with a prayer before discussing Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. He emphasized that the desert should be understood “primarily as a place of encounter,” rather than “a place of temptation,” and as a place of intimacy with God. 

Owens also discussed similarities between Jesus’ time in the desert and that of the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament, noting that both withdrew from noise to encounter God more deeply. 

“What is the clear thing happening in both the Elijah and the Jesus examples?” Owens asked. “They have to be away from the noise. The thing that keeps us from rest is noise.” 

During the talk, Owens shared his personal faith testimony and reflected on how his understanding of his faith journey has changed over time. 

He concluded by discussing the invitation Lent offers. 

“So perhaps the invitation that Lent brings us is … to go deeper,” Owens said, “deeper into the desert like Elijah. Go deeper. Go further. But then wait … the still small voice will come … but it’s still. And it’s small. And our hearts are noisy.”  Owens ended his talk with a prayer.