Daily Lenten Reflections | Sunday Lenten Reflections

Easter of Hope is a Lenten reflection and video series by Array of Hope. Daily reading and a Lenten reflection including tips on how to live out the hope of Christ's resurrection.Sundays you will receive a short inspirational video from one of our Array of Hope Presenters.  
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February 17

Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for Him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to His disciples, saying,
"Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

This Gospel beautifully illustrates the love Jesus has for each one of us. Levi’s obedience serves as an example as to how we, as believers, should live. He left everything behind and followed Jesus, becoming His disciple. This shows us that despite our shortcomings, sins and weaknesses, God still loves us and calls us to discipleship.

 Take a moment to reflect on your own life. Are you obedient to God when He asks things of you? Or do you settle for what is most convenient? We are called to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Of course, this calling is not always easy, especially in the world that we live in today. Jesus never promised us it would be easy, but in the end, it will be worth it and we will be rewarded in Heaven.

Today, seek repentance from God and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Just like a doctor heals the sick, Jesus desires to heal you too. He is the greatest Physician and Healer. He comes “not to call the righteous to repentance but sinners." Allow Him to enter into your brokenness and provide hope and healing to your heart. Through the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are invited to leave our sins behind and follow Jesus more fully. ​​

February 16

Friday after Ash Wednesday 
Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?"
Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist’s disciples want to know why Jesus and His disciples aren’t fasting. What they don’t yet realize is that the Messiah is among them. They don’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah. The disciples did not need to fast because they knew Jesus Himself was present to them, just like the bridegroom at the wedding feast. Because they believe, they celebrate with joy. 

During Lent we are called to focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Sometimes fasting can seem like the most difficult of the three, but there is great value in fasting. In fact, it is a spiritual discipline that is used as a common practice amongst many religions. As Catholics, we are invited to imitate Christ who fasted for 40 days in the desert. When we give up certain things we enjoy during Lent, or abstain from eating meat on Fridays as a way to sacrifice our comforts, we do so for a higher purpose. We begin to recognize our faults and understand the reality that we are all sinners. When we fast, we are invited to participate in the life of Christ. It also reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Through these little sacrifices, we are filled with Christ’s peace and grace.

Today, think of something you are can fast from during this Lenten season. How can this particular fast better prepare you for the celebration of Easter? May we use this time of Lent to continue to make sacrifices in our daily lives so that we may be reminded of what Christ endured out of love for us.

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February 15

Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to His disciples:
"The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised."

Then He said to all,
"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?"

Yesterday marked the beginning of Lent, a season of sacrifice and hope. Lent is a time where we can grow in holiness; an opportunity for us to dive deeper into our faith and meditate on the life and teachings of Christ. During this season of Lent, let us unite ourselves to Christ's suffering and allow it to not only impact our hearts, but to transform them.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says," If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."Although different from Jesus, we all carry a cross and suffer in some way. Most of us carry multiple crosses on a daily basis. Our human nature tells us to run from our crosses and to avoid suffering as much as we can. However, Christ calls us to embrace our suffering with joy. Through suffering, we become closer to Him. In this scripture passage, Jesus challenges us to surrender ourselves to Him in order to fully live in the freedom of His love.  

Today, think about your own life. What is your cross? Do you embrace it or run from it? Instead of looking at our suffering as a burden, let us view it as a means to becoming more like Jesus. Our cross will then be transformed from a sign of death to a sign of life. Jesus won victory over death and through Him we have gained eternal life. ​

February 14

Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Jesus said to His disciples:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your Heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the
praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."