Jon 3:1-10 Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 Lk 11:29-32

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer Praying Lent The Daily Reflections

“Something greater than Solomon is here.” -Luke 29:31

In today’s first reading, on the second Wednesday of Advent, we see Jonah warning the people of Nineveh that in forty days, “Nineveh shall be destroyed.”  (Jonah 3:4) In this season of Lent, we also see this theme of 40 days, which can be found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. It rained for 40 days and nights when Noah was in the ark, Moses was on the mountain with God for 40 days, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, and the symbolism goes on and on. Just as Noah, Moses, and Jesus had 40 days to spend with God, Lent should be a time for us to also spend 40 days with God.

Whatever method we choose to use to grow closer to Christ during this time, whether that is through fasting, prayer, or anything else, Lent is an incredible opportunity to step back for a second, and watch Jesus work in our lives and the lives of others. One of my personal favorite Lenten practices is to try to go to daily Mass. Having the opportunity to attend Mass every day is something that I find myself taking for granted, but during Lent, I try to go as often as I can. Every time at Mass, during the consecration, when Jesus becomes truly present in the Eucharist, there truly is “something greater than Solomon here.” (Luke 29:31)