Lent

Lent is not so much about doing external things, changing this or giving up that. It's about getting down to the heart of what's off in our lives. I'm not the only one who's not always following the correct road. All of us are driving our lives off course, and none of us want to stop and ask for directions. But God wants to come into each of our lives, give us the direction we need, point us on the right way, and get us back on track. We must only have the courage and humility to get down on our knees, roll down our windows and ask for directions.
 
Readings at this Mass: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6–7, 10–13a | Eph 5:8–14 | Jn 9:1–41

In an address given to graduating seniors, Harvard biblical scholar Dr. Peter Gomes said, "The future is God's gift to you." What good words, huh? When we find ourselves stuck, our lives in a rut — that's when Jesus wants step right down into our rut with us. Not with judgement, shame, or condemnation, but with truth, mercy, healing, and hope. He wants to lift us up, heal our hurt, and give us a fresh start — a future. That's what happens with the sacrament of Confession. Jesus is there, waiting for you: thirsty for your trust, hungry to heal your heart, and eager to offer you a new future.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ex 17:3–7 | Rom 5:1–2, 5–8 | Jn 4:5–42

We all have or will have trouble in our lives. Through it all, the key is to surrender to God and let Him take control. To be addicted to our own self-will is a tyranny that enslaves us — the only rescue from it is to trust God, trust Jesus, and let Him take care of it. Identify the most pressing thing that keeps you afraid from trusting God and His providence in your life, and ask God to take control while you surrender yourself to Him (the Surrender Novena is a great tool to help you in this).
 
Readings at this Mass: Gn 12:1–4a | 2 Tm 1:8b–10 | Mt 17:1–9 

Lent is a time to enter honestly into our own hearts — to repent, to confess, and to grow closer to God. It is a season of freedom, when the Lord desires to lift burdens from us so that we may truly flourish. This Lent, do not be afraid of what God uncovers. He is not trying to diminish you. He is forming you. And if we let Him change our hearts, we will not merely endure these forty days — we will flourish.
 
Readings at this Mass: Gn 2:7–9; 3:1–7 | Rom 5:12–19 | Mt 4:1–11

Jesus talked about three different practices in today's gospel — praying, fasting, and almsgiving — which the Church has always recommended doing during this penitential season to help us to grow in our relationship with God.
 
Readings at this Mass: Jl 2:2–18 | 2 Cor 5:20—6:2 | Mt 6:1–6, 16–18

Judgment is a very dangerous thing. I’m not talking about judging choices, attitudes, or actions, but judging hearts. Condemning and dismissing others. Ridiculing and dehumanizing them. Using them. When we do that, we put ourselves in God’s place — and God takes that very seriously. Only God can judge the heart, because only God can see the heart. Let’s remember that when we’re angry or frustrated or annoyed this week — for the sake of our relationships and for our own sake.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 43:16–21 |  Phil 3:8–14 |  Jn 8:1–11

Our heavenly Father is always seeking us out. He made us for communion with Him and with one another. And when we sin, we break that communion. That’s why every Mass begins with a confession of sin — not because we’ve already made everything right, but because turning back to the Father opens the door for His embrace. God offers us second chances (and third, and fourth, and as many as we need) to come to our senses and return to Him. The Sacrament of Reconciliation was given to us by Jesus for exactly this purpose: to restore and preserve our communion with the Father. And when we turn back toward Him, He comes running toward us.
 
Readings at this Mass: Jos 5:9a, 10–12 | 2 Cor 5:17–21 | Lk 15:1–3, 11–32

Praying, fasting, and almsgiving are the remedy for inner peace, helping us to imitate the good things that belong to God. Putting effort into praying, fasting, and almsgiving assists us in staying constant in our relationship with God, while also strengthening our conscience, soul, mind, and heart to be always at ease and in peace. If we consistently and intentionally fertilize our soul, our mind, and our heart with these three disciplinary acts, we will be freed from disordered affections and instead yield the beautiful fruits of a good conscience.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ex 3:1–8a | 1 Cor 10:1–6, 10–12 | Lk 13:1–9