March 20
“The law detects, but grace alone conquers sin.”
-St. Augustine: Of Continence (5th Century)
Today’s Reflection
Did you ask God for the grace to conquer your bad habits this Lent, or are you trying to do it all yourself? By relying on yourself, you block the grace God wants to give you. Replace your self-reliance with humility and allow yourself to receive God’s help.
March 18
“I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbors’ defects–not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.”
-Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Today’s Reflection
Are you tempted to judge the defects of your neighbor? Let us examine today how much we “bear all our neighbors’ defects. How charity are our thoughts and action toward them? Resolve today to grow in love by reaching beyond your limits of giving.
March 15
“Fasting is a medicine.”
-St. John Chrysostom: Homilies (4th century)
Today’s Reflection
Sin injures us in many ways, especially in our ability to love like Jesus. When we deny ourselves a pleasure out of repentance for sin, this action becomes like a healing balm upon our wounded heart and enables us to become a more loving person.
March 14
“We do not become perfect by the multiplication of exercises, penances,
and austerities, but rather by the purity of love with which we do them.”
-St. Francis de Sales: Spiritual Conferences 13 (17th Century)
Today’s Reflection
When you give up something for Lent, why are you doing it? Out of habit, because it’s what is expected of you, or out of love for the God?
March 13
“The power of choosing good and evil is within the reach of all.”
-Origen: De Principiis, 2. (3rd century)
Today’s Reflection
“Choice” is a buzzword that is often used to mask sin and make evil appear to be anything but what it is – evil. Lent is the time to tear away the masks, examine the choices we made in life, and repent of those that were wrong.
