Be Open and Humble

How are you doing on your Lenten journey? Are you tempted to stop? I used to think Lent was more of a burden than a blessing, but not anymore. Lent offers us the beautiful opportunity to declutter the heart, mind, and soul. In other words, we have these 40 days to focus on clearing our pathway to deepen our relationship with our Lord.

Lent invites us to recognize the ways we can be burdened by internal distractions, material concerns, and worldly desires. To remove these burdens, let us look to Jesus Christ’s example of openness to God’s will and humility, creating space for transformation. With His Baptism in the Jordan River, Christ emptied Himself and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him to strengthen Him [Mark 1:10].

Embracing openness and humility we too can be transformed by way of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us ask ourselves, where do I seek strength, consolation, and comfort? Is my purpose in life to serve my own self-interests? Our answers can help guide our prayers, fasting, and almsgiving this Lent to cleanse our heart, mind, and soul.

Lessons to Learn

Letting go of pride, distractions, and selfish ways—that internal decluttering—opens and humbles us on our journey to unite with our Lord. As the Holy Spirit works within us, our union strengthens. We see the loving purpose of relying on our Lord instead of on ourselves and our personal comforts—to become less sinful and more selfless in our daily lives.

Therefore, let us not fear temptations to stop our efforts. Christ’s own 40-day journey teaches us that openness to God’s will and humility give us the strength to face temptations with faith, hope, and love of God. Truly, our Lord is with us each step of the way on our Lenten journey and beyond.

Another significant biblical event, the Wedding Feast at Cana, offers further guidance for our spiritual journey. At this celebration, the wine ran out, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you” [John 2:5]. Jesus then transformed water into wine, marking His first public miracle. Mary’s instruction is a call to openness and full trust in the Lord. Should we ever falter, Our Lady is our humble intercessor.

Quietly Listen

Mary’s words also remind us to respond to Christ with a willingness to follow wherever He leads, even when the path requires change or challenge. Christ calls us to repent and believe in the Gospel, and God urges us to listen to His beloved Son. That is why quiet time is essential for our Lenten efforts and daily living.

Setting aside time for silent reflection helps us to cultivate awareness of the Lord’s voice within us. Recognizing the Lord’s presence in our daily lives deepens our relationship with Him. For this relationship, Christ gives us the gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Eucharist draws us into the intimacy of the Trinitarian life. God invites us to receive Our Savior in the Holy Eucharist—the Lord’s gift that increases the gift of the Holy Spirit within us. Attending Mass and spending time in Eucharistic Adoration help quiet the noise within us, opening the way for greater humility as our reliance on Our Lord grows for the sake of our redemption and salvation.

Let us pray that our prayers, fasting, and almsgiving continue to cleanse us this Lent and beyond. Amen!