1st Week of Lent

Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy. (Leviticus 19:2)

Christianity is often viewed as a series of no-no’s, and this passage has plenty of them. Don’t steal. Don’t lie. Don’t slander. It seems pretty clear and concrete. But notice that all these rules are “bookended” by holiness and love. These two words describe everything God had in mind when he gave us these laws.

The call to holiness is based not only on what we avoid, but also—and sometimes even more importantly—on what we do. That’s why the passage concludes with a reminder of what the Law is supposed to develop in us: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Isn’t this the same thing that Jesus tells us—that the greatest commandment is to love God and our neighbor?

How can this perspective affect the way you prepare for Easter? Lent might seem like a time to give things up. You’ve probably asked someone else the common question “What are you giving up for Lent?” And surely, at least one other person has asked you as well. But don’t stop there. As we have already mentioned in previous meditations, Lent is a wonderful season to fast from negative habits like gossip and overeating. But it’s also the perfect time to take one or two positive steps that will help you grow in holiness.

So look again at your Lenten resolutions. Choose one area of sin or temptation you are trying to overcome, and decide how you can also practice the opposite virtue. If you tend to dwell on negative thoughts about a coworker, stop and think of one good quality this person has, and thank God for it. If you are fighting laziness, choose one project around the house that has been languishing, and make a plan for how you will tackle it. Instead of nursing a grudge against someone, add that person to your prayer list, and intercede for him or her every day.

Jesus wants you to become holy and loving. But don’t think it all depends on you. He has given you a share in his own holiness and love. He can give you everything you need.

“Lord, help me to grow in holiness and love this Lent.”

Psalm 19:8-10, 15
Matthew 25:31-46

1st Sunday of Lent

You will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

In today’s second reading, St. Paul tells us that confessing that Jesus is Lord and believing in his resurrection will bring us to the ultimate goal of our lives: heaven itself. But this is one of those “gospel truths” that comes with an asterisk attached.

We recite the Nicene Creed at every Sunday Mass. It’s another version of Paul’s confession of faith. So if we say it with faith, isn’t that all we need to do to get to heaven? Not exactly. Remember, even the devil believes that Jesus is the “son of the Most high God” (Luke 8:28). Remember too that Jesus warns us, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Clearly, there must be more to this than simply reciting the truths of our faith. Something has to happen inside of us as well. Something has to come into us to change us and make us become more and more worthy of the gift of eternal life. And that something is faith.

Faith in Jesus sanctifies our hearts. It directs the affections of our hearts toward Jesus. It moves us to say no to sin. The devil’s “belief” didn’t sanctify his heart. It didn’t move him to have any affection for Jesus. If anything, it made him hate Jesus all the more. That’s because he didn’t put his faith in Jesus.

Every day this Lent, the Holy Spirit wants to move you toward a deeper faith, a faith that strengthens your love for Jesus and other people.

Think of it this way. Married couples know that love involves much more than saying and believing the words “I love you.” They know it means staying united, serving each other, working out differences, and putting each other above themselves. Likewise, confessing Jesus as Lord and believing it in your heart is much more than accepting a fact and saying it. Confessing and believing is a way of faith. It’s a way of life.

“Jesus, I believe that you are the Savior of the world. Let this faith continue to sanctify my heart.”

Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15
Luke 4:1-13

Saint Frances of Rome, Religious (Optional Memorial)

The Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land. (Isaiah 58:11)

Those who invest in stocks or corporations do so in order to make a certain percentage of money on top of what they first invested. In the financial world, this is known as an “ROI”—a Return on Investment.

This concept from the world of business and high finance can help us understand a key spiritual principle: God rewards us when we invest our time and effort in him. In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah explains that those who spend time caring for the needy and honoring the Sabbath will be rewarded with a “spring whose water never fails” (58:11). That’s like having an infinite return on investment!

But Isaiah isn’t talking only about the time we invest in doing; he is also asking us to spend time resting, or keeping the Sabbath holy.

It’s easy to think that Sunday is a good time to catch up on work and other projects. But God promises that if you take time to step back from your own endeavors on the Sabbath, he will renew you. If you can find a way to put aside your to-do list—even if it’s just for a couple of hours—he will make up the difference in ways you might not expect. You’ll discover the divine irony that doing less actually results in greater gains!

So what can you expect to happen if you set aside a portion of each Sunday this Lent to rest in the Lord? Perhaps by slowing down and relaxing, you’ll find it easier to sense the Lord’s presence. Maybe you’ll discover that you have more time to sit down with your spouse or a child or friend, and learn more about what’s on their heart. Then when you come to the end of the day, you might feel more grateful because you have been able to see more clearly the many ways God has blessed you.

Sharp investors are always on the lookout for a solid return, but they know there is always a risk involved in any transaction. And that’s precisely where this analogy breaks down. There is no risk with the Lord. Anyone who invests in him—especially on his day of rest—is guaranteed to reap a wonderful return. That’s how faithful God is!

“Lord, help me to honor the Sabbath this Lent by resting with you.”

Psalm 86:1-6
Luke 5:27-32

Saint John of God, Religious (Optional Memorial)

This, rather, is the fasting that I wish. (Isaiah 58:6)

Of the three practices that we focus on in Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—it’s the last that we can find the most challenging, especially if it means going beyond putting some money in the poor box. While many of us are already in the practice of giving to the needy during Lent, it can be harder to find opportunities to serve the poor in person.

Often we begin Lent with a sincere desire to help people who are in need, but somehow the whole season gets away from us before we are able to find a way to serve. With today being just the third day of Lent, we still have plenty of time to make a concrete decision about what we will do!

Are you not sure where to start? Maybe a call to your parish office would be a good first step. Ask about opportunities to help with a parish clothing drive, a food pantry, or the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul. More than simply giving a donation—which is always good—look for opportunities that bring you into direct contact with those less fortunate than you. That’s when your heart changes—when you look into the eyes of those you are serving and recognize them as your brothers and sisters.

If you don’t find something at first, keep looking. Check your diocesan newspaper, or visit the local charities in your area. Catholic newspapers often have listings of area charities that are looking for volunteers. Who knows? Maybe you can even turn this into a permanent thing once Lent is over. After all, Jesus reminds us that the poor we will always have with us, not just during Lent (Matthew 26:11)!

Today’s passage from Isaiah is a dramatic reminder that Jesus is looking at the motives of our hearts just as much as our outward actions. As much as he loves it when we fast, he is also looking for people who are seeking to set the oppressed free, share their bread with the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe the naked (Isaiah 58:6-7). What’s more, if we do this, God promises, “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed. . . . You shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!” (58:8, 9).

“Jesus, show me how I can serve you in the poor and needy this Lent.”

Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19
Matthew 9:14-15

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (Optional Memorial)

If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

Ed was in the habit of spending chunks of his weekends on the golf course. That often meant ducking out early from Mass and missing out on time with his wife and kids. One weekend, however, Ed and his wife attended a parish retreat. As Ed prayed before the tabernacle, he had an overwhelming sense of God’s love. Ed knew he needed to draw closer to God. That meant making some changes, starting with less golf and more time with the Lord and his family.

Ed’s story is a perfect illustration of Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel: “He must deny himself” (Luke 9:23). Those words might give the impression that following Jesus means living a joyless, austere existence. But God loves you too much to want you to be miserable all the time. Most likely, he is asking you to deny something that’s keeping you from him. Perhaps a hobby or pastime has taken over too much free time. Maybe you need to cut back on your time binge-watching TV or surfing the Internet. Maybe you are too focused on your career, and your prayer life suffers.

What’s getting in your way? Ask the Lord to show you in prayer. He might surprise you. If you cringe at the thought of denying yourself something you enjoy, don’t worry. If it’s nothing sinful, Jesus is probably not asking you to give it up completely, only to put it in its proper place.

Ed’s decision to cut back on golf came after a dramatic experience of God, so it was only natural that he would pursue his faith with more enthusiasm. Who wouldn’t want to spend more time with God after an experience like that? But in today’s Gospel, Jesus says that it works both ways. Rather than always waiting for God to do something, we could take some of the initiative ourselves. If we want to get closer to him, we should check to see if there’s something blocking us. If we can put that aside, it will be easier to feel his love.

Remember, you can never outdo God in generosity. Whatever you give up for him, he will give you so much more in return.

“Lord, help me to deny myself anything that is keeping me from following you.”

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Turning from Self to God An Examination of Conscience for Lent

If you want your prayers to fly to God, equip them with the two wings of fasting and almsgiving

This good advice from St. Augustine encourages us to pursue the “holy trio” that the church calls us to each Lent. Like faith, hope, and charity, the three practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving work together to turn us away from self-centeredness and toward God-centeredness. They open us to his love and mercy, and they help equip us to become his ambassadors in this world.

We all know that these three practices are not always easy. But God knows our weakness. He also knows our potential—especially as he pours his grace into us. He knows that every step we take toward him has the potential to transform us a little bit more into the image of Christ.

This Lent, as you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, ask yourself how your life reflects the humility and trust in God that are at the heart of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Where have you fallen short of God’s call away from self-centeredness? And even more importantly, how can you become more like Jesus—who lived completely for God and other people, and not for himself?

Jesus “went off to the mountain to pray.” (Mark 6:46)

• Are there subtle—or not so subtle—ways that I have ignored my relationship with God?

• Have I made time every day to meet God in prayer? Do I read, reflect, and act on his word to me in Scripture?

• Have I given priority to God on Sundays and holy days by attending Mass and making a special effort to seek him?

“Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

• How much do I rely on the Lord for fulfillment, compared to the security I seek from money, possessions, or other relationships?

• Are there areas of myself that I am holding back from God—secret parts that I don’t want to expose to his light and his love?

• Have I entertained impure thoughts geared toward self-gratification? Have I acted on these thoughts?

“This . . . is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly . . . sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked.” (Isaiah 58:6-7)

• Can I recall any situations in which I neglected to care for the people God has put in my life? Have I resisted putting their needs before my own?

• Am I doing what I can to stand up against injustice and to protect the unborn, the poor, and the defenseless? Are there recent situations where I failed to follow the Spirit’s lead in this?

• Is there anyone I have failed to treat according to the respect and dignity they deserve as a child of God?

“Give alms from your possessions.” (Tobit 4:7)

• Have I been a good steward of the gifts God has given me? Do I use them for his glory?

• Have I been stingy with my time and gifts? Am I an active supporter and contributor to the work of the church and of organizations that serve the needy?

• Are there situations in which I resist giving the “alms” of forgiveness to someone who has hurt me? Is there anyone I need to forgive? Anyone whose forgiveness I need to ask?

Ash Wednesday

Do not blow a trumpet before you. (Matthew 6:2)

Let’s say you were an avid jogger. Every morning, rain or shine, you were out on the road, getting your three miles in. How often do you think you would tell your coworkers or neighbors that you ran that morning? Probably not very often. It’s just something you do because you know how good it is to establish a healthy exercise routine.

It’s this kind of attitude that Jesus is asking us to have when it comes to the traditional Lenten practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. They should be so much a part of our everyday routine that we would see no reason to boast about doing them.

Of course, we know how challenging it can be to keep to these practices. Life tends to get in the way. But isn’t that the whole purpose of Lent? To step back from the busyness of life a bit so that we can grow closer to God?

These next forty days offer us a wonderful opportunity to enter into the blessings of a routine. If we can commit to praying every day this Lent, we’ll be well on our way to forming a permanent habit of spending time with God and letting his word change our hearts. If we can commit the next six weeks to fasting—from some food or activity or attitude that has too tight a grip on us—we stand the chance of becoming less attached to this world and more attached to Christ. If we can commit to giving some of our time and money to helping the poor on a regular basis, generosity and compassion will begin to flow from us more naturally.

Jesus is inviting you to “return to the Lord, your God” this Lent (Joel 2:13). Every journey begins with the smallest, most ordinary of steps. So get into the daily habit of turning to him through these three ordinary spiritual practices. Then watch to see whether something extraordinary comes of them.

“Jesus, help me embrace the everyday, ordinary practices of Lent so that I can grow closer to you.”

Joel 2:12-18
Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17