Lift Up Your Head

When you are going through tough times, it's easy to let your focus narrow and become focused solely on your own problems, challenges, and trials.  

I have my own struggles with this.  I have called this narrowed focus "navel gazing" from time to time, because it speaks to how I often lower my gaze, intent on myself to the extent that I often ignore the needs of the world and others.   

I am so grateful for the Season of Lent as a time to break that cycle of self-absorption and lift my head even a little.  

As we step into this sacred Season of Lent, we are called to embark on a journey of reflection, sacrifice, and renewal. It is a time to deepen our understanding of virtue and its significance—not just for ourselves, but for the broader community in which we live. 

John Chrysostom beautifully captures this sentiment when he states, 

“No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.” 

These words invite us to reconsider the very essence of our Lenten practices. Fasting, prayer, and contemplation are vital, but they find their true power when they translate into acts of love and service towards others. 

The risk we face is turning Lent into a solitary focus, where our personal sacrifices become an end in themselves. However, true transformation occurs when we recognize our interconnectedness and commit to uplifting those around us.

Jesus encapsulates this idea beautifully in Matthew 25:40, where He reminds us, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” 

This call by Jesus is not merely a suggestion but an integral part of our faith. By serving others—whether through acts of kindness, providing for those in need, or simply offering a listening ear—we live out the teachings of Christ in tangible ways.

As we journey through Lent, let us challenge ourselves to look beyond our individual sacrifices. 

How can we extend our Lenten intentions outward? 

Perhaps it’s volunteering at a mission or ministry at your church, supporting a neighbor, or engaging in community service. Each small act has the potential to spark hope and healing in a world that often feels fractured.

Let this Lent be a season not just of introspection, but of outward action. Let us draw inspiration from Chrysostom's words and embody the spirit of service every day. We are invited to see Christ in others, to become instruments of His love. 

Raise your eyes to the world around you. Seek opportunities to do good during this sacred time. As we embrace our call to virtue, let our actions resonate with kindness, compassion, and grace. 

Through our commitment to one another, we celebrate the true essence of Lent, transforming our hearts and the lives of those we touch. Let this season awaken in us a deep desire to serve, and deepen the spiritual journey of this season. 

May it be so and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.