Jer 20:1-13 Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 Jn 10:31-42

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer Praying Lent The Daily Reflections

Lent is a time when people tend to give up something for 40 days, in addition to not eating meat on Fridays in recognition of the fast that was taken by Jesus in the desert. While this is always fantastic, and each year I find something new to give up that will test not only my strength as a person but as a man of God, I always feel that simply giving something up may betray the true meaning of the Lenten season.

Today’s responsorial psalm calls on the Lord in times of distress, providing another shoulder to lean on in times of hardship and struggles (Ps. 12:2-3a). This has never been an easy thing for me to do, as most of the time I feel that I should be simply able to handle it on my own. This is never more apparent to me as when I do my own service. Something I have been reflecting on recently is that Lent should not simply be a time of giving something up, but rather a time of doing something more. Lent involves a sacrifice of sorts, and this could be from giving something up, as is the common practice, or from doing something like sacrificing your comfort zone to do something for the betterment of others. This can be things like doing community service, or interacting with others, or going out and exploring a part of your town that most people would normally not visit or think about.

I have touched on homelessness before, and this is something that can definitely get people outside of their comfort zone. Serving a meal, eating with those who are served and building a community is an interaction that could normally make people wary, but I find it to be incredibly rewarding. This is not the only opportunity to care for others; it is just my preference for action and service. You do something as small as committing yourself to reading more news every day and keeping yourself updated, or becoming an advocate for some cause that you truly and deeply support. All of this is easy to do, and when you struggle throughout life, there is always someone to lean on that you may not recognize each time. Whether it may be a friend, or reflection through prayer about how you can act, there is always someone that can help to pull you through.