Jesus’ Map for Our Lenten Journey (2/22/2026)

As I reflected on the gospel for today, the 1^st Sunday of Lent, I was filled with gratitude to our Savior, Jesus Christ, for His example and for presenting to us as the WORD the path for our Lenten journeys. If we could truly embrace “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” contained within the account of both how Satan tempts us but also what is essential to us, we would understand our journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday better.

Temptations are real. Temptations come at us as we try to make our way along the journey. That is the first truth Jesus set before us. As Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus was tested. As children of the LORD born to the human race, we should expect the same. Temptations are not an indication of our imperfections but rather of our humanity which is graced with free will that means choosing will always be a part of our lives. As disciples, we must be attentive and engaged as we make our way, for there will be decisions constantly that will either build upon the graces received or diminish them.

Let us focus on that realization today as disciples, that we are faced with choices throughout every day. Let us commit to being intentional about our choices, seeking to discern the will of the LORD for us and cooperating with the grace of the Spirit to realize who we are called to be moment to moment. And let us give thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ, who chose to suffer for us to defeat sin and to win for us reconciliation and restoration.

Truly, shouldn’t we get better at this thing called life? Shouldn’t we make fewer mistakes? Shouldn’t we find the path easier? Shouldn’t we take our spiritual gains from Lent forward with us? Shouldn’t our Easter and beyond persona be different than our Ash Wednesday persona? I ask this because I find myself struggling with the same issues this Lent that I did last Lent.

My morning coffee with the LORD was pretty serious this morning. I truly want to be who I am called to be, but like the Apostle Paul, I have a thorn or two that try as I might I don’t seem to be able to free myself of completely. And so, I found myself praying mightily this morning to our all-loving and ever-present LORD for help. I prayed that this Lent, through prayer, fasting, good works, and grace that I could move closer to the one I was created to be and the one Christ calls me to be. I prayed that I don’t just show up for the events and miss the experience, that I don’t just try to get through Lent but that I open myself to the true spirit of Lent, the embrace of the LORD’s love for me and my response to that love. I prayed that Christ’s love truly makes me want to be a better me.

I pray that as we continue our Lenten journeys, we may increasingly search and seek to discern the LORD’s will for each of us. I pray that we may be guided by the Spirit to embrace that which we discern not just for the season but for our lives beyond Easter. I pray that for all of us, this Lent will be a time of growth, of discovery, and of love realized.

Until tomorrow, choose wisely to love well.