Lenten Reflections
Our PurposeCathedral, Lent is a time of prayer and reflection in order for us to continue to grow closer to God. In this section we aim to help our community do exactly that. Every week of lent, we will post a Lenten reflection for us to immerse ourselves in for that week. We are challenging you to follow along with us on your own journey. Strengthen your faith and submit the chapters you have read each day below, and reflect on said chapters, in order to start walking on the road that leads to our Loving God. Good luck to you all, we will be praying for you!
-Diego Wilson, Writer
Week 1
Psalm 1
By: Diego Wilson
In reflecting on this passage, I have come to the following conclusion. Humans were created with a wonderful soul, a soul that acts like a sponge. Whatever we surround ourselves with fills our soul. God gave us the ability to soak Him up or soak up this world. If we choose to soak up drunkenness, lustfulness, and wrathfulness, we reflect these qualities back into our lives, and in doing so, we point our souls towards the path of destruction. On the other hand, if we choose to soak up faith, hope, and love, we begin to exemplify these Catholic values, pointing our hearts and souls toward our true and final goal, our wonderful and loving Creator.
Week 2
Psalm 32
By: Diego Wilson
This very deep psalm of David is pushing us to call upon God when we need Him most and, when we give in to our sin, to seek him during confession. This Lenten journey invites us to do the same. In those moments when we are fighting a losing battle with sin and temptation, just before we fail, call upon our God in prayer. Our Lord is far wiser and stronger than we are. He himself was tempted by Satan in the desert, although he was able to resist this temptation through Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus understands our struggle-that terrible aching feeling within your chest when you are tempted and badly want to give in-not only does he understand our struggle, he knows how to overcome it. When we reach out to Him during these times of strife and pray for his wisdom and love, just as it says in Matthew 7:7-8, what we ask of him shall be given. However, it is up to us whether or not we use this blessing. We are human, and we will falter-it is part of our human nature. Although our God understands this, and this is exactly why he gave us the Sacrament of Confession. Through this beautiful gift of Reconciliation, our sins are forgiven. Just as the reading this week reminds us, those whose sins are forgiven are truly blessed. After receiving this sacrament, we must continue to move toward our God and his virtues. This is what I am calling you to do this Lent, my brothers and sisters. During this time of reform and prayer, when we want so badly to satisfy our sinful desires, I urge you to call upon Him. I say this with confidence because I know He will come to your aid. When you fail, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that you may move closer to God. Remember that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance; He is not here just for those who are righteous (Luke 5:32).
Week 3
Galatians 6: 7-10
By: Diego Wilson
These verses reveal what is promised to us beyond Lent. During this season, we are called to undergo change and sacrifice the parts of ourselves that are not of God. However, this metanoia-transformation of heart is meant to be consistent and lasting, not a change tied only to the time of Lent. This time of sowing, which is Lent, prepares us for a bountiful harvest after these days of reflection and renewal. During this season, I implore you to sow seeds of love, hope, and faith in your life. In doing so, your faith will continue to grow after Lent, leading you to reap the blessings God has given. However, this is not something we can do on our own. Through daily prayer, application of what you read in scripture into your daily life, and asking God to plant his wisdom and knowledge in our lives, we can slowly evolve into the man or woman of God that He needs us to be. Tell your family that you love them. Help your siblings with their homework. Pray for those with whom you may struggle to get along, and ask God to give you the kind of love it takes to love your enemies. Continue to do these things after Lent so that you may keep bearing fruit that is pleasing to God.
Week 4
2 Corinthians 4: 16
By: Diego Wilson
I ask you to truly look within yourselves. In this moment of reflection, ask whether or not you know what you want and where you are going. In this world, there are two paths we can take: the well-traveled path that leads to destruction, and the forgotten, narrow path that leads to paradise. However, this narrow path comes with its sacrifices, as this week's reading reminds us. As we walk this road, we must slowly but surely allow whatever is of this world that causes us to sin to fade away. As it says in Galatians 6:14, we must allow ourselves to prioritize and place value on God instead of what this world claims is of value. This is what this week's reading is calling us to do: begin to prioritize prayer and quality time with God over spending time with friends who lead you further away from God. Instead of scrolling through Instagram for an hour, take some time to pray a decade of the Rosary. In doing these things, we can continue to live for him-but die to this world. At the same time, remember that a journey of faith is exactly that. A journey encompasses a long trip, one of character and of detail. We cannot simply change everything about ourselves from one day to the next-it is nearly impossible. Growing closer to God is a gradual process that takes patience, perseverance, and trust. As Lent comes to an end, continue to prioritize our Lord so that, little by little, you may become the man or woman of God that He has called you to be.