Lent: Season of Going Back to Jesus
In his Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Kalibo, +Bp. Romie Jun emphasized that Lent is a Season of Going Back to Jesus- a sacred time to return to the Lord. Although our true home is with God, we are still pilgrims on earth. Therefore, we must live according to the life He has prepared for us. We are called to remain grounded, staying on the path where God wants us to be.
However, this is not always easy. Blaise Pascal once observed that we live each day surrounded by distractions. Indeed, God knows what we are meant to do in our daily lives, yet we often allow noise, busyness, and worldly concerns to pull us away from Him. As a result, we prioritize things that are not from God. Moreover, the enemy knows our weaknesses. He understands what distracts us and uses these distractions to lead us into temptation. By turning our focus toward ourselves instead of God, we slowly drift away from the Lord.
So, how do we stay grounded during Lent? We return to the disciplines that draw us back to Jesus. First, we pray— listening to Him through Scripture. Second, we fast— with sincere repentance. Third, we give— with generous love. These Lenten practices help us refocus our hearts on Christ.
Although the enemy may try to distract us, we must resist his temptations. Instead, let us take up our cross through prayer, fasting, and giving. Above all, let us stay grounded in Jesus, for Lent is truly the Season of Going Back to Jesus.
