LentDevotional2026
“Lentisatimeofgraceto theextentthatwelistento
Christashespeakstous.”
-PopeFrancis
Week One
Events:
MardiGras(FatTuesday!)|2/17/26
AshWednesdayMass|2/18/26
WhatisAshWednesday?
AshWednesdayisthefirstday ofLent.Catholicsaremarked withashesontheirforeheadsas asignofhumility,repentance, andanoutwardsymboloffaith.
ShouldCatholicsfastonAsh Wednesday?
AshWednesdayisa“dayof abstinence”forCatholics.This meansthatweshouldonlyeat twomeals,andskipmeat,sweets, andsnacking. Wedothisasa spiritualexercise,buildingupthe strengthtosacrificeourcomforts anddependsolelyonGod.
*Childrenunder14,pregnantmothers,andindividualswithmedical needsdonothavetofastthroughfood Instead,focusonmakinga differentkindofsacrificeonAshWednesday
“Gather your ingredients”
DuringLent,wearegivenanopportunitytorenewaspectsof ourlivesthroughsacrifice.Beforebakingsomething,you mightlookthroughyourkitchentocheckforanyexpired ingredients.Theseingredientscanbethrownawaytomake spacefornewingredients.Similarly,duringLent,wecan examinewhathas“gonebad”inourlivesandthrowthose thingsaway.
Arethereany“ingredients”inyourlifethathavegonebad?
Thinkofaspectsofyourlifethatmightneedtobereplaced,for example,beingonyourphonetoomuch,eatingtoomany sweets,sleepingthroughyouralarmeverymorning,etc.
DuringLent,wearecalledtogiveupsomethingthatistaking awayfromourrelationshipwithGod.Thissacrificeshouldbea commitmentthatyoucansticktofromAshWednesdayallthe waytoEaster.
Personal Reflection Questions:
WhatwillIgiveupforLent?
Sometimes,itishelpfultohaveanaccountabilitypartnersomeonewhoknowswhatyouhavegivenupandcanremind, encourage,andhelpyoutosticktoyoursacrifice.Often,this canbeaparent,sibling,orclosefriend.Whoareyougoingto
asktobeyouraccountabilitypartner?
Howareyougoingtomakesureyousticktoyoursacrifice?
Howisitgoingtobedifficult?Howisitgoingtobeeasy?How isitgoingtohelpyoutogrowinyourrelationshipwithGod?
TheFirstWord “Forgiveness”
“WhentheycametotheplacecalledtheSkull,theycrucified himandthecriminalsthere,oneonhisright,theotheronhis left.ThenJesussaid,“Father,forgivethem,theyknow notwhattheydo.
”
Luke23:34
Reflection
Mr. Quigg, History Faculty
Years ago when I was teaching seventh grade religion, I posed the following question to my students: How or where do you experience God in your lives? I was prepared for the typical responses a thirteen-year-old might answer with - nature, family, friends, church. While all of their reflections were correct and certainly sincere, I was not quite ready for the response one student gave: in moments of forgiveness. While I was taken aback by the maturity and thoughtful nature of this student, words of forgiveness are indeed one of the last things to come out of Jesus' mouth before he dies. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
To think that forgiveness was one of the last things on Jesus' mind while suffering in agony on the cross is mind-blowing. Jesus, in all of his pain, asks His Father to forgive those who have perpetrated the ultimate crime against Him - murder. What strikes me most about this request is that it shows us that Jesus is more than mere talk; rather, Jesus truly "walks the walk". When we listen to the stories Jesus toldthe parables of the unforgiving servant or the prodigal son - they were not merely hyperbole. Jesus meant what he said when it came to forgiving one another. In his final plea, Jesus is asking God to forgive those who have killed Him.
By forgiving those who have inflicted unimaginable pain on Him, Jesus is guiding us in how to live out our faith. Jesus recognized that the resentment that we hold on to when we hold grudges will consume us. In his book, Carry On, Civil Rights leader, John Lewis wrote: "I had long ago decided that I wasn't going to be bound by the mental shackles of hate, anger, and discontent. Forgiveness is medicine for the mind, balm for the body, and healing for the heart." It is through forgiveness that we are freed from the bondage of resentment and bitterness. During this Lenten season, let us remember the healing and liberating power of forgiveness.
“Pray,hope,anddon’t worry.Worryisuseless.
Godismercifulandwill hearyourprayer.”
-St.PadrePio
Week TWO
Events: Adoration|3/3/26
WhyareFridaysdifferent duringLent?
OnFridaysduringLent,Catholics shouldnoteatmeatasanother Lentensacrifice!
Arethereanyspecial“daysoff”inLent? Yes!OnFeastDays,liketheSolemnityofSt. Joseph,Catholicsaregiventhedayofffrom fasting.Thismeansthatyoucantakeabreak fromyourpersonalsacrificefortheday!Ifit isaFriday,youcaneatmeat.Althoughevery family/communityhandlesthisdifferently,it iscommonforpeopletopausetheirfaston Sundaysaswell.Youcanchoosewhatworks bestforyou!
“Gather your Tools”
WhenIamgettingreadytobake,thesecondthingIdoafter takingouttheingredientsismakesureallofthetoolsIneed arecleanandreadytogo.Measuringcups,thestandmixer, bowls,andbakingsheetsallneedtobepreparedsoyoucan bakequicklyandwithoutamess.
AsCatholics,wehavetoolsliketheseinourprayerlives! Throughrosaries,Bibles,novenas,prayercards,andmuch more,wearegivenaspiritualkitofeverythingweneedto growclosertoChrist.Thesetoolscanbehelpfultodifferent peopleindifferentways,andit’sokayifyourtoolkitlooks differentthanothers.
DuringLent,wearecalledtoexamineourprayerlifeandthink ofwayswecangrowinourrelationshipwithGod.
IdeasforHowtoRefreshYourPrayerLife:
Setadayandtimeeachweektoprayarosary,either aloneorwithyourfamily
StarteachmorningbyreadingyourBible
Createalistofspecialintentionstoprayfor GotoAdoration
Lookupanovenatoprayfor9days
ChooseasainttobeyourpatronthroughoutLent,and askfortheirintercessioneachday PraytheStationsoftheCross
Personal Reflection Questions:
WhatwillIdothisLenttogrowinmyprayerlife?
Whatdoesmyprayerlifelooklikerightnow?Inwhatwaysis myprayerlifefulfilling,andinwhatwaysisitlacking? __________________________________________
WhatdoyouthinkaboutSt.PadrePio’squote(page9)?Doyou feellikeyoufollowthatadviceinyourownlife?Whyorwhy not?
TheSecondWord “Salvation”
“NowoneofthecriminalshangingtherereviledJesus, saying,‘AreyounottheMessiah?Saveyourselfandus.’The other,however,rebukinghim,saidinreply,‘Haveyouno fearofGod,foryouaresubjecttothesamecondemnation? Andindeed,wehavebeencondemnedjustly,forthesentence wereceivedcorrespondstoourcrimes,butthismanhasdone nothingcriminal.’Thenhesaid,‘Jesus,remembermewhen youcomeintoyourkingdom.’Herepliedtohim,‘Amen,I saytoyou,todayyouwillbewithmeinParadise.
Luke23:39-43
Reflection Mr.Pileggi,ReligionFaculty
In his Gospel, Luke tells us the story of Jesus’ conversation with a man crucified beside him. The man, a convicted thief, asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus enters His Kingdom. Reassuringly, Jesus promises the man that they will be together in paradise. This scene really brings home Luke’s Good News, that Jesus will invite faithful people into the Kingdom, no matter that person ’ s circumstances. This penitent man, desperately asking Jesus for salvation, could not have found himself in a worse situation. Thankfully, Jesus offered him the same grace that he offers all those who humble themselves enough to ask for it. Astoundingly, Jesus found Himself in that same terrible situation, despite his innocence, making Him available to comfort the man while they suffered together. In their shared experience on the cross, the thief found salvation. Salvation can seem so far away, and admittedly, I spend very little time thinking about it. Try as I might, I cannot actually grasp the paradise that Jesus promises, so I usually do not even try. Luke’s crucifixion story, foreign as it may feel to my life, does provide me with some inroads to understanding salvation. When I feel particularly down, when life gets the best of me, I push Jesus as far away as I can. In these times, I make the mistake of hiding my troubles from Jesus, as if Jesus would not want to receive me in such a sorry state. Of course, Jesus can see me in my worst times, even when I cannot see Him. Luke’s Gospel reminds me that Jesus will meet me in any moment of suffering, just as he met the crucified thief in his own lowest moment. This Lent, I am pushing myself to accept Jesus into my lowest moments, and praying that humbling myself will bring a small taste of my eventual salvation.
“Donotneglecttoshow hospitalitytostrangers,for bydoingthatsomehave entertainedangelswithout knowingit.”
-Hebrews13:2
“Pouring Out”
Afteryouhavegottenoutallofyouringredientsandtools andpreparedthekitchen,itistimetostartbaking!Thisisthe funstep,butitcanalsobethemessiest,whichiswhyit meansthemost.Whileyoupour,measure,mix,andbake,you takethetimetodosomethingthatwillbringjoytosomeone else.Althoughitmightbetime-consuming,messy,or wearying,theeffortyouputinisdoneoutofloveforthe other.
ThelastthingthatwearecalledtododuringLentis almsgiving,whichisjustafancywayofsayinggivingtothe poor.Haveyoueverheardtheexpression“madewithlove?”
Justaswepourourloveintobakedgoods,wecanpourour loveoutineverythingwedoandeachpersonweencounter. Thiswilllookdifferentforeveryone,butknowthatyouracts ofservice,nomatterhowbigorsmall,canbedonewitha lovethatcanhavehugeimpacts.
IdeasforAlmsgivingDuringLent:
Savealittlemoneyeachweek,thendonateittoyour favoritecharityattheendofLent
Gotoaserviceactivity,club,ormeetingduring school
Dosmallactsofkindnessforyourfriendsandfamily
Makeacardforsomeoneimportantinyourlife
Gatheroldclothes,shoes,ortoysthatyoudon’tuse anymore,anddonatetoGoodwilloranother organization
Personal Reflection Questions:
HowwillIgivetoothersthisLent,especiallythosewhoarein need?
Whatdoesitmeantoshowlovetoanotherperson?Howcan youshowyourlovetoothersinsmallways?
Whenisitmostdifficulttoserveothersselflessly?
TheThirdWord “Relationship”
“StandingbythecrossofJesuswerehismotherandhis mother’ssister,MarythewifeofClopas,andMaryof Magdala.WhenJesussawhismotherandthedisciplethere whomheloved,hesaidtohismother,“Woman,behold, yourson.”Thenhesaidtothedisciple,“Behold,your mother.”Andfromthathourthediscipletookherintohis home.”
John19:25-27
Reflection AnnieBrogan’26
In the third word, Jesus says, “Woman, behold your son…Behold, your mother.” Even while Jesus is on the cross and in pain, he is still thinking about relationships in his life and making sure the people he loves are taken care of. This moment in Jesus’ life shows how important it is to have relationships in your life that have true connection, honest love, and even responsibility in the hardest times. When I think about relationships in my life, I think immediately about my relationship with my mom. My mom and I have a stable mother-daughter type relationship that I have always been grateful for. She has always been there for me, supporting me in everything that I do. Our bond has shaped me into the person I have become today. She is the steadiness I need in my life, especially when things get hard for me. I know she will always be there for me. I know I have my mom to lean on at any time in my life. She has always been there for me, not just in big moments, but also in the little ones. This is something I am so thankful for, because I don’t know who else the first person I would text when I don’t do well in school, or get anxious about someone, would be if it wasn’t for her.
I am lucky enough to call my mom one of my best friends, and while I know at times we can fight, and I can even be mean to her sometimes, she is still always my biggest supporter. We have been through thick and thin together, and it's comforting to know she is always going to be there for me because I know not all relationships I’ve had in my life are as stable as the one with her. Her love is unconditional, like Jesus’.
Jesus, creating a new relationship between Mary and John reminds me of how my mom loves so selflessly. Just as Jesus was thinking of his mom while suffering, I know my mom is constantly thinking about me, even when she is stressed, tired, or going through her own struggles. Her love is steady and unconditional, just like Jesus’.
The third word reminds me that relationships are one of the most important parts of life. My relationship with my mom reflects the same love and care Jesus showed on the cross. It’s a relationship built on trust, sacrifice, and unconditional love, and I am so incredibly grateful for it.
“Letusrememberthatlove livesthroughsacrificeand isnourishedbygiving. Withoutsacrifice,thereis nolove.”
“ICING ON THE CAKE”
Whenyourcakeisdonebaking,youmightthinkthatthereis nothinglefttodo,butthatisnottrue!Therearestillmany importantstepstomakethiscakeevenbetter,likefrosting! Thissimpletoppingaddssomuchsweetnessandflavor,and thereisareasonitismanypeople’sfavoritepartofany dessert!
WearehalfwaythroughtheLentenseason!Youmayhavehad somedifficultieswhenLentfirststarted,likestickingtoyour sacrificeorrememberingnottoeatmeatonFridays.Nowthat youhavehadtimetosettlein,youcanlookatthefinalhalfof Lentasatimetoaddsomeextrasweetness!Youmightthinkof waystoserveothersmore,stopcomplainingabouthowhard yoursacrificeis,orbumpupyourprayerlifeevenmore!In thesefinalweeksofLent,focusonhowyoucancontinueto inwardlyprepareforChrist’sresurrection.Thesenextfew weeksshouldnotbeaboutmakinglarge,dramaticchangesto yourlife,butinsteadaboutreflectingontheminusculeways youcangrowinholiness.Likefrosting,itdoesnotneedtobe themainattractiontoaddtothecake.
Personal Reflection Questions:
Howhasyoursacrificeimpactedyourlifeingoodways?
WhathasyourpersonalreflectionlookedlikethisLent?How hasyourrelationshipwithJesusgrown,changedordeveloped thisLent?
HowhaveIseenGodmosttoday?
TheFourthWord “Distress”
“Afterthis,awarethateverythingwasnowfinished,in orderthatthescripturemightbefulfilled,Jesussaid,“I thirst.”Therewasavesselfilledwithcommonwine.Sothey putaspongesoakedinwineonasprigofhyssopandputit
uptohismouth.”
John19:28-29
Reflection Bridget Blaney ’26
Distress typically carries a negative connotation and is associated with painful, anxious, or sorrowful events. After much reflection on why bad things happen in life, I concluded that there are little gifts of God’s love for us hidden within distressful times. Sometimes they are hard to see in the moment, and sometimes it is something you cling to during challenging times. Jesus was in a great deal of distress, suffering, and pain as He was on the cross. His fourth last word was “I thirst.” Even though Jesus suffered, He died so that we could reach eternal salvation.
In October, I had to have an emergency surgery. After surgery, I was in constant pain and extremely frustrated that I was not physically able to do the simplest things, like sitting down and standing up. I wanted so badly to be back in school and back on the river rowing. Throughout this time of distress, I clung to the little gifts of love God provided. I had friends who checked in, came to visit, just sat and talked with me, I received cards from my teammates, flowers from friends, and many well-wishes from those I love. My older brothers are both in college, but they came home to spend their weekend with me. Even though I experienced a lot of pain and distress, the experience truly grounded me. Being forced to slow down reminded me of what was important in life. The love that was shown during these challenging times was God reminding me of what really matters: I was eventually going to make a full recovery, and I had my family and friends around me. The acts of kindness from those I love really reminded me of the same love God shows. In times of distress, it is important to turn to God, and He will remind you how loved you are by so many people.
“Chosensoul,Godwants
-St.LouisdeMontfort
Events:
SolemnityofSt.Joseph|3/19/26
LunchtimeConfession(seeemailfromMs. Tully!)
WhydowegotoConfession duringLent?
Aswehaveseenearlier,Lentisa timeforpenance,self-growth, andreconciliationwithGod.Itis theperfecttimetoprepareour heartsfortrueholiness,and thereisnobetterwaytodoso thantobringyourhearttoGod inConfession.Althoughitmight seemscaryorunnecessaryto yourightnow,Confessionisa wonderfulsourceofgrace,and thereisnothingtobeafraidof! SeeMs.Tullyifyouhavemore questions.
“Alter your recipe”
Thehardestpartofanybaker'sjobisfindingtheperfect recipe.Itmaytakehundredsoftriestogettotheexact consistency,flavor,orsweetness,butthebakercontinuesto tryuntiltheirvisioncomestolife.Overtime,thebakerwill altertheirrecipe,withlittlechangeshereandthere,until theygettherecipejustright.
OurlifeasChristiansdoesnotneedtobeperfectonthe firsttry.Ifthatwerethecase,Jesus’slife,death,and resurrectionwouldhavebeenunnecessary.Instead,weare giventheopportunitytopersistinholiness,evenwhenwe makemistakesorstrayfromthepath.Christ’sdivinemercy isinfinite,andaslongaswecontinuetoseekHiminallthat wedo,wewillbegiventheultimategift:salvation.Asyou reflectonyourLentseasonsofar,thinkaboutwhathas gonewell,whatneedstobedonebetter,andwhatyouwill needtocontinuetogrowinafterLent.
OneofmyfavoritequotesfromRobertLouisStevenson says,“Saintsareonlysinnerswhokeeptrying.”Ourpathto Heavenmaybecrossedbyeveryimaginableobstacle,and therewillinevitablybetimeswhenthosehardshipscause ustostumble.Inthosemoments,Christiswithuseven more,hopingtoregainholdofourhandsandhelpguideus backontoHispath.
Personal Reflection Questions:
Hasitbeendifficulttoadjusttoyournewsacrifices,prayer goals,andservicethisLent?Whyorwhynot?
thingsforthefinalweeksofLent?
DoyouthinkyouwillcontinuethesehabitsafterLent?Doyou feelliketheyhavegenuinelyhelpedyourrelationshipwith God?Whyorwhynot?
TheFifthWord “Abandonment”
“Atnoondarknesscameoverthewholelanduntilthreein theafternoon.Andatthreeo’clockJesuscriedoutinaloud voice,“Eloi,Eloi,lemasabachthani?”whichistranslated, “MyGod,MyGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?”
Mark15:33-34
Reflection MariaTufaro’26
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
As humans, we have all felt this sense of abandonment in our lives, whether it was in a time of suffering, obstacles, or stagnancy. In my own life, I wrestled with the feeling of isolation from God for many years as I faced challenges that made me feel like God could no longer possibly love me. My faith has always been strong, and there was never a time that I doubted my beliefs. However, there were times when I felt that everything that could go wrong had, and I struggled to maintain my relationship with God when I felt that He was pulling away from me. This verse had a large impact on my life at a time when I felt at my lowest, and it gave me strength during times that I felt alone in the hardships I faced. As I reflected on how my life needed to look during that time, I thought of the example Christ set for us. Through His time in the desert, Jesus was faced with every temptation and evil that humans have ever experienced. On the cross, Jesus was overwhelmed with emotion and cried out to His Father, seeking comfort in His moment of utter distress. Jesus was not doubting God’s plan or care during His passion, but in His humanity, He reached out to His Father to find the support He needed. Jesus Christ’s cry on the cross was rawly human, but His attitude was purely divine, and we can take it as a lesson in how we can face our trials with assurance in Christ’s plan.
“Faithinactionislove,and loveinactionisservice.”
-St.TeresaofCalcutta
SolemnityoftheAnnunciation|3/25/26 Reminder-dayofffromfasting PalmSunday|3/29/26
Howtomakeacrossoutofyourpalmleaves:
1. Holdpalmpointingup;about5inchesfromthe bottom,foldtopoverkeepingthelongparttoward you
2. About1.5inchesfromthetop,foldlongendonthe diagonaltotheright
3. Wrapthelongendaroundtheupright2.5times
4. Flipthepalmover
5. Makeanarmabout1.5-2.5inches,foldingthelong endtowardyou
6. Makeasecondarm,foldingontheleft
7. Makeadiagonalfoldsothelongendpointsup
8. Slipthepointofthelongendbehindthecenter loops
9. Loopthelongendasecondtimebehindthecenter loops;pulltauttosecure
“Let’s Decorate”
Whenyouwerealittlekid,didyoueverhaveacakethatwas perfectlymatchedtothethemeofyourbirthdayparty?For me,itwastheballetslipperscakethatmyOmamademe whenIwasobsessedwithdance.Irememberthinkinghow specialitwasthatIgottohaveanentirepartycentered aroundsomethingIloved,andthethoughtfulnessthatwent intoeverydetail,eventheshapeofthecake,mademefeel greatlyloved. Whenwearepreparingagift,thefirstthingwethinkaboutis whothegiftisfor.Themostspecialgiftsarenotnecessarily themostexpensive,largest,ormostpopular.Often,themost specialgiftsaresmall,butshowagreatdealofcareandeffort putintothem.DuringLent,wearecalledtothreethings: sacrifice,prayer,andalmsgiving.Thesearenotrandomtasks, andtheyarenotmeaningless.Throughthesethreethings,we aregivingagiftofourselves,ourdesires,andourresources, andaswithanypresent,wehavetheopportunitytothink abouthowwecantailorthesegiftstogivethemgreater meaning.Ourabilitytobeintentional,generous,and welcominginouractionsisonewaywecanliveoutloveand faith,especiallyduringLentasweprepareourheartsto receiveJesus’sgiftofselfandsalvation.
Personal Reflection Questions:
Whatwasthepurposeofthesacrifice,prayer,andalmsgivingI didthroughoutLent?
Whatdoesitmeantoreceiveagiftwell?
ReflectontheversePhilippians2:8.HowwasChrist’sPassion theultimategiftanddisplayoflove?
TheSixthWord “Triumph”
“WhenJesushadtakenthewine,hesaid,“Itisfinished.” Andbowinghishead,hehandedoverthespirit.”
John19:30
Reflection GraceLogan’26
With every late-night study session and difficult test, the goal of college lived in the back of my mind. My path to college acceptance was defined by more than just grades; it was a battle against uncertainty. I was up late at night, balancing expectations with self-doubt. For months, I felt the weight of the “what ifs.” What if the grades I worked so hard to get weren’t good enough? What if I didn’t participate in enough extracurriculars? When I opened my student portal and heard the words, “Welcome to Villanova,” I was filled with immense relief and joy. All of the pressure I had put on myself the past three and a half years evaporated. This was my moment of triumph because I saw that my potential was reflected back at me by the outside world. The discipline and hard work I had been practicing had built a foundation strong enough to hold the weight of my dreams. To me, triumph isn’t just about the final success; it’s about the fact that I kept moving forward when the outcome was completely unknown. I was persistent even in the moments when I felt the urge to settle for less. Christianity teaches that waiting is not wasting. In Exodus, God uses the “long way ” to train our character and discipline before we are ready for the
“Promised Land.” God was directing my path through all of my uncertainties, even when I felt lost and anxious. By walking in spirit rather than sight, I was able to put my trust in God that his plan for me was right. Getting into college proved to me that obstacles are not dead ends. One triumphant moment is not the end of the journey; it is fuel for the next chapter, and God is with us every step of the way.
“Donotabandon yourselvestodespair.We aretheEasterpeople,and Hallelujahisoursong.”
-St.JohnPaulII
Week Seven
Events: Noschool!
HolyWednesday|4/1/26
HolyThursday|4/2/26
GoodFriday|4/3/26
EasterSunday|4/5/26
What is Holy Wednesday?
Also known as “Spy Wednesday,” this is the day when Judas Iscariot decided to betray Jesus by planning to hand him over to the Temple guards.
What is Holy Thursday?
Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and establishes the Eucharist. This day holds many reminders of the humility, love, and service Jesus exemplified, which we are called to live out as Christians. This day is also the beginning of the Triduum.
What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is the day of the Passion of Jesus Christ. It is the most solemn day of the Triduum, and is a day of fasting and penance. Instead of receiving the Eucharist on this day, Catholics venerate the cross in Mass.
“celebrations
and Candles”
Therearemanyreasonswhyyoumighthavecake-abirthday party,awedding,agraduationparty,orfornoreasonatall. Cakeisawaytohonoralloccasions,anditissymbolicofthe joy,unity,andsweetnessweexperiencewhencelebrating specialmomentswithourfamilyandfriends. So,ifwehavespentthepastsixweeksthinkingofLentasthe baking,decorating,andgiftingprocess,whatistheoccasion thattheEastercakeiscelebrating?Throughourpreparation, wehavemadeourwaytoanewbeginningthatbrings incomparablelove,peace,andjoy.Despitethechallengesyou mayhavefacedalongtheway,whetheritwasforgetting aboutyourfastonedayorstrugglingtofindtimetopray,you havemadeittoEaster!OurrewardismadegreateronEaster daybecauseofhowwehavepreparedourselvesforitthrough theLentseason,andwecanenjoythefulfillment,renewal, andexultationofChrist’sresurrection.Goingforward,the faithandrelationshipthatyouhavebuiltwithGodoverthese past40dayswillcontinuetoflourishifyoucontinuetocare forit.
Personal Reflection Questions:
Lentisover!Howdoyoufeelasyouthinkaboutthepast40 days,theEastercelebration,andlookingahead?
WhatarethebiggestwaysthatyouhavegrownthisLent season?Whatwasthemostchallengingpart?
Howwillyouliveoutthenewbeginningsyouhavebuiltfor yourselfthisLentseason?
TheSeventhWord “Reunion”
Itwasnowaboutnoonanddarknesscameoverthewhole landuntilthreeintheafternoonbecauseofaneclipseofthe sun.Thentheveilofthetemplewastorndownthemiddle. Jesuscriedoutinaloudvoice,“Father,intoyourhandsI commendmyspirit”;andwhenhehadsaidthishebreathed hislast”.
Luke23:44-46
Reflection LindsayCooper’28
Lent, for me, is a season of reunion; with others, with myself, and most importantly, with God. In my daily life, I make mistakes constantly. I give wrong answers in class, underperform in sports, and snap at my friends and family when I feel overwhelmed. I often get caught up in the business of my commitments and forget to make time for the people who matter most to me. It’s surprisingly easy to choose studying over having dinner with my family or going to practice instead of spending time with friends. While these responsibilities are important, the people I love should always be my priority, and sometimes I lose sight of that. Lent reminds me to slow down and reconnect with the people in my life. It challenges me to be more intentional with my time and to recognize when I am choosing productivity over relationships. Through this reconnection with others, I also find myself reconnecting with God. When Jesus rose to heaven and reunited with God, He was welcomed with open arms. In these moments, Jesus experienced a joy far deeper than the joy we feel from earning a good grade or performing well in sports. It was a joy rooted in unconditional acceptance and forgiveness; something only God can give. God knows that we will sin and accepts us not despite our imperfections, but because of them. During Lent, I make a conscious effort to prioritize the people I love, and through this effort, I grow closer to God as well. Lent reminds me that God is always present, patiently waiting for a relationship with me. I find comfort and joy in knowing that God will never abandon me, no matter how often I fall short. By surrendering to God and letting down my defenses, I am able to reunite with Him during this Lenten season.
DearNotreDameCommunity, ThankyouforfollowingalongthisLentandEaster season.Wehopethatyourtimefollowingalongwiththis devotionalhasbeenfruitfulandthatyouhavereceived allofthegracesyouwerelookingfor.Wewillendwitha finalprayer: HeavenlyFather,sourceofallblessings,IthankYoufor thissacredLentenjourney.Asthisseasonends,Ibring toYouthesacrificesIhavemade,themomentsof reflection,andtheareaswhereIhavefallenshort. Washmecleanandrenewmyspirit.Letthe transformationbeguninmecontinue,thatImayemerge fromthistimeasatruerfollowerofYourSon.Prepare myhearttocelebratethejoyofEasterwitharenewedlife oflove,service,andfaith.ThroughChristourLord,
