Today’s gospel hits me every year. In different ways, to different situations, in a different light.

This year, in particular, I’ve been able to surface a lot of things I’ve been masking. Like my pride which gives me this inability of being vulnerable, of letting myself be loved, of loving myself, or taking care of myself, and many other things that I’m realizing daily.

So with this Lent, with the gospel being all about privacy between your relationship with God.. it hit home. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to serve in so many different ways, to be so in tune with my community, and faith community, that evidently shows my relationship with God. But, with this gospel and it’s stress on the intimacy of one’s relationship with God.. that’s one thing I will take to heart. To live a life of faith with God, one on one, before anything else. Before raising my hands in Worship, leading small groups, retreats, or giving talks.. my time in prayer, in chapel, in Mass will be first. More me and God time.

Stoked for Lent. I see the graces waiting to be felt in these 40 days. Through all the sacrifice and “to do’s” that I have planned, it will be a beautiful struggle. Through these things and God’s strength I hope to come out a less prideful person, a healthier person, a more knowledgeable person, a more wise person, and a better Catholic in general.

So! 40 days in the desert? Let’s do it. This year, along with every year I feel exhausted already on Day1. Burnt out, tired, discouraged. But through that I see glory at the end of the tunnel.

Let this time be a time of repentance. To admit our lives as sinners, but to know and embrace the grace of God. And to have humility to truly “turn away from sin and remain faithful to the Gospel.” We are all worthy.

As Dennis had put it, “Don’t wait until you’re pure, or until you’re perfect to come to Christ. Come as you are.”