Without silence, God disappears in the noise. And this noise becomes all the more obsessive because God is absent. Unless the world rediscovers silence, it is lost. The earth then rushes into nothingness (Robert Cardinal Sarah: in the power of Silence against the Dictatorship of noise).
I find it difficult to listen to the voice.
The visuals take me in a different direction from the voice. Totally opposite in fact.
The GPS display has an issue. We are travelling and it’s easier to look at the visuals rather than listen to the voice for directions.
After a while, and some wrong turns, I realise that it’s better to heed the voice after all.
We stop for a break. The malfunctioning GPS makes me think of my spiritual deafness. Getting lost in life when I don’t heed His voice, but am distracted by the world.
Maybe that is why the desert season is important. A way of fixing that internal GPS.
So that all senses are directed at Him only.
No conflict. One way only.
Looking forward to this journey in the desert.
It’s great to have pointers from Holy Father Pope Leo on the three pillars to focus on this Lent 2026. Pillars different from the traditional ones, yet built on them.
Listening, Fasting, Together.
Listening
‘This year, I would first like to consider the importance of making room for the word through listening. The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with someone.
In revealing himself to Moses in the burning bush, God himself teaches us that listening is one of his defining characteristics: “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry” (Ex 3:7). Hearing the cry of the oppressed is the beginning of a story of liberation in which the Lord calls Moses, sending him to open a path of salvation for his children who have been reduced to slavery.
Our God is one who seeks to involve us. Even today he shares with us what is in his heart. Because of this, listening to the word in the liturgy teaches us to listen to the truth of reality. In the midst of the many voices present in our personal lives and in society, Sacred Scripture helps us to recognize and respond to the cry of those who are anguished and suffering. In order to foster this inner openness to listening, we must allow God to teach us how to listen as he does. We must recognize that “the condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church.’ – Pope Leo
In reading these words, a recent incident comes to mind. I am on an early morning run, when an elderly man clearly having difficulty walking, a stranger, calls out to me “Good morning! Where are you from?” Instead of answering him properly, I mumble few words that I am from somewhere around the locality as I increase my pace seeking to put maximum distance between us. Was this a burning bush moment that I ignored in my life? A chance to meet Him? That moment has passed and won’t come back. Let me pray for the Grace to listen more this Lent. A skill always a challenge in this always on digital 24*7 world that tells us to speak up always, to establish our personal identity and brand, to add to the noise all around us. Help me to Listen more Lord and speak less, as St Joseph shows by example to us in the scriptures.
Fasting
If Lent is a time for listening, fasting is a concrete way to prepare ourselves to receive the word of God. Abstaining from food is an ancient ascetic practice that is essential on the path of conversion. Precisely because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognize what we “hunger” for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance. Moreover, it helps us to identify and order our “appetites,” keeping our hunger and thirst for justice alive and freeing us from complacency. Thus, it teaches us to pray and act responsibly towards our neighbour.
With spiritual insight, Saint Augustine helps us to understand the tension between the present moment and the future fulfilment that characterizes this custody of the heart. He observes that: “In the course of earthly life, it is incumbent upon men and women to hunger and thirst for justice, but to be satisfied belongs to the next life. Angels are satisfied with this bread, this food. The human race, on the other hand, hungers for it; we are all drawn to it in our desire. This reaching out in desire expands the soul and increases its capacity.” Understood in this way, fasting not only permits us to govern our desire, purifying it and making it freer, but also to expand it, so that it is directed towards God and doing good.
However, in order to practice fasting in accordance with its evangelical character and avoid the temptation that leads to pride, it must be lived in faith and humility. It must be grounded in communion with the Lord, because “those who are unable to nourish themselves with the word of God do not fast properly. “As a visible sign of our inner commitment to turn away from sin and evil with the help of grace, fasting must also include other forms of self-denial aimed at helping us to acquire a more sober lifestyle, since “austerity alone makes the Christian life strong and authentic.”[4]
In this regard, I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.’- Pope Leo
I had to repeat almost all the words of the Holy Father Pope Leo here as fasting is not something that I have understood properly in earlier Lents. I have focussed always on the physical aspects of fasting, aspects where I deny myself of things I like (egg, meat, fish – non vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks). During the period of Lent, maybe there is an aspect of spiritual pride when others notice I am refraining from consuming these items during get togethers or how much weight I lose during the Lenten period. Alas, the moment Easter rolls around, I over indulge in these very items I refrained from during Lent, and any weight lost comes back quickly, these is no inner transformation brought up.
Reflecting on Pope Leo’s words, I feel his is drawing on his Augustinian background and the principles that St Augustine taught of transforming the Inner Man. This transformation is what will bring internal change that lasts. I am also reminded to curb my hasty tongue and fingers this Lent, not to be quick to judge and condemn, rather be quick to praise and appreciate the others. Even being silent is better at times that saying words that hurt or bring down anyone.
Together
‘Finally, Lent emphasizes the communal aspect of listening to the word and fasting. The Bible itself underlines this dimension in multiple ways. For example, the Book of Nehemiah recounts how the people gathered to listen to the public reading of the Law, preparing to profess their faith and worship through fasting, so as to renew the covenant with God (cf. 9:1-3).
Likewise, our parishes, families, ecclesial groups and religious communities are called to undertake a shared journey during Lent, in which listening to the word of God, as well as to the cry of the poor and of the earth, becomes part of our community life, and fasting a foundation for sincere repentance. In this context, conversion refers not only to one’s conscience, but also to the quality of our relationships and dialogue. It means allowing ourselves to be challenged by reality and recognizing what truly guides our desires — both within our ecclesial communities and as regards humanity’s thirst for justice and reconciliation.
Dear friends, let us ask for the grace of a Lent that leads us to greater attentiveness to God and to the least among us. Let us ask for the strength that comes from the type of fasting that also extends to our use of language, so that hurtful words may diminish and give way to a greater space for the voice of others. Let us strive to make our communities places where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths towards liberation, making us ready and eager to contribute to building a civilization of love.’- Pope Leo
I am struck by the concept of Togetherness. No point in being transformed in my solitary life that does not touch anyone else, if I cannot listen to the Word of God with others in Mass or family or Bible study and share experiences based on the Word. Also being more aware of the poor and hungry who are all around me and I choose not to hear or see, just because it is more convenient to that. That humble beggar at the church gate seeking alms or the weary person in shabby clothes tapping the window of my car at a traffic light, needs some help from me. Can I help them in whatever small way I have with a smile? Why do I turn the other way? Maybe these persons are more deserving of the Kingdom of God than I am. The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man echoes.
Really grateful for these pointers from the Holy Father Pope Leo on the way forward to lasting change during Lent 2026, by focusing on the three pillars: Listening, Prayer, Together.
I think I should spend less time looking down at my mobile and more time to looking up to the world and Him for all these opportunities to work on the three pillars this Lent.
Help me Lord to make this a Lent unlike others in the past. One that will bring lasting internal transformation in me, so that others may see You reflected in me. Amen.
