Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
Sunday, March 2, 2025
In our fast-paced modern world, it’s easy to become swept away in the currents of daily life. The demands placed on our time and attention by work, family responsibilities, and social obligations can create a whirlwind that often leaves us feeling disoriented or distracted. As we navigate from one task to another, time appears to elude us, making it hard to maintain perspective on what is genuinely important.
This Wednesday marks the beginning of the sacred Lenten season. The next forty days can easily slip by unremarkably, or we can embark on a profound spiritual renewal and growth journey. Jesus reminds us of the importance of prioritizing our spiritual lives: “The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”” —Luke 10:41-42. This passage illustrates how even good intentions can lead us astray if we lose focus on the most vital aspects of our lives. Like Martha, we may become overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities. Still, this period is a time of penance, fasting, and prayer, intended to prepare us for the Easter Triduum, which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ at Easter.
The significance of the forty days is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, echoing the forty days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert before beginning His public ministry, as well as the forty years that the Israelites wandered in the desert before entering the Promised Land. Lent is not merely a time of abstaining from certain pleasures; it is an opportunity to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with God. This season calls us to reflect on our lives, seek reconciliation, and embrace the transformative power of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
To engage fully in this season, it is vital to incorporate practical prayer, fasting, and almsgiving actions into our daily lives. Lent is a time for intensified and prolonged prayer, where we can enter into communion with God and intercede for the needs of others. Setting aside specific times for prayer, whether through personal reflection, communal worship, or even guided meditations, can significantly enhance our spiritual journey. Fasting is not merely about abstaining from food but involves a deeper self-examination. Fasting can help us question our security and lead us to a more sober lifestyle, allowing us to focus on what truly matters. Almsgiving is a critical element of our Lenten journey. It is an expression of our love for our neighbors, and it frees us from selfishness. This can be donating to charities, volunteering time, and sharing our resources with those in need.
Let us embrace this Lenten journey with open hearts, ready to deepen our faith and grow closer to God. May we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit so that we may arrive at the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, transformed and renewed.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.