A Reflection for Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
“Jesus said to him, ‘You may go; your son will live.’ The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, ‘The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.’ The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live,’ and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea” (Jn 4).
It’s not too late to begin. I think I am in a small group here, but Lent is probably my favorite season in the life of the church. It is a time of great reflection and beautiful liturgical celebrations. It is also a time where we can recenter our focus. It is amazing how fast Lent comes and goes. It feels like we just received ashes the other day, and although we are almost four weeks into Lent, it is not too late to start. If you have been faithful to your Lenten promises, well done! If you have not been as faithful as you had hoped, begin again. Lent is a time for continued growth. If you haven’t made it to confession yet, go this week. If you haven’t set aside as much time for prayer as you had hoped you would, it isn’t too late. Whatever it is, Lent is still here, and we have plenty of time to prepare for Holy Week and the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday. Jesus desires us today.
It feels like we just received ashes the other day, and although we are almost four weeks into Lent, it is not too late to start.
The Roman official in today’s Gospel comes to Jesus in a moment of vulnerability. Not a man of faith, and having heard of the great works of Jesus, he turns to Jesus to plead for the healing of his son. Have you ever been in a vulnerable situation? Many situations in life leave us vulnerable. Lent could be one of those times. It reveals our own brokenness and our need for mercy.
This season is the prime time to embrace our vulnerability, especially in the confessional. I was on pilgrimage in Rome and Assisi about five years ago during Lent, and aside from the beautiful artwork and awe-inspiring churches, what I still think about to this day was the line of pilgrims going to confession. From all over the world and from many different backgrounds, what we all shared in common was our faith in Jesus Christ and our desire for his mercy.
To witness everyone coming out of the confessional with a sense of renewal and discipleship has reminded me of our constant need for mercy, and we do not need to go far for it. No matter how many times we go, confession always feels like a chore or something difficult to do. Jesus invites us into his merciful love. Maybe we need the faith of the Roman official to ask for healing. This is what Lent is all about: to prepare for His resurrection but also to grow closer to Him. Whatever it is, give it to Jesus and let these final days of Lent draw you closer to his merciful love.
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What are you giving up for Lent?
Not so much give up, but I’ve tried to make it to daily Mass a few times a week and to add more prayer and silence to my days.
Do you cheat on Sundays?
No.
Favorite non-meat recipe
Growing up, meatless Friday was always pizza day, and at 27, it still is!
Favorite Lenten art
“The Taking of Christ” by Caravaggio. It gives a great depiction of the fear of the apostles, but the face of Jesus knows this is the will of the Father.
