Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

​Empty handed. Broken hearted. Eyes filled with tears. Wondering if it was all worth the sacrifice. 

I remember many times sitting in an Adoration Chapel angry with the Lord, bringing to Him all those things above. I felt like I had nothing left, that I had made all the sacrifices I could imagine, but yet felt more empty than ever before. I know I am not the only one who has ever felt this way. People talk about how "it always pays off in the end," but honestly, in those times, I didn't know if I believed it. I felt like I was being abandoned after trying so hard to do it right and give it all back to Him.

I remember feeling like Peter saying, "I have given you everything Lord, now what?!" But had I really given Him anything at all? I would fast or give up my time or make other sacrifices that looked holy and pure, but was I really giving it up for Him? Or so that He would give me what I imagined I deserved? In reality, I wanted so much less than I deserved, and God didn't want to see me settle for only the treasures of this world. Sometimes He wants those goods for me too, but He always wanted to give me more!

I have felt your pain and so has Jesus! I know what it feels like when you think you are giving God everything and it seems like there is no consolation... but so does He! Maybe that person, or test, or position, or whatever you sacrificed for today is worth it and is something God wants for you, but I guarantee you that is not ALL He wants for you! 

As we start Lent tomorrow bring Him all you have, even the tear-filled eyes, empty hands, and broken hearts. Sacrifice for those you love, for the important people and things in your life. But more important than all of that... trust that He does love you, He does see you, and all your sacrifice does matter. Let us sacrifice freely this Lent, and may God bless our sacrifices and prayers on earth and in heaven.

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

Think of a time in your life when you felt like what was described above. What do you think the Lord was trying to tell you during that time? 

What is the world offering you? What is the Lord offering you?

​What are you going to sacrifice this Lent? 

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"The first will be last, and the last will be first."

"I give you everything, Lord."

"I want more of you, God."

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with Lord bear fruit in you today?

Pray today about what you are going to sacrifice this Lent, and ask the Lord for the grace to sacrifice with a glad heart.

​Does it ever happen to you where you feel like you’ve read a bible verse a thousand times already, yet you read it again and you notice something you’ve never noticed before? Or you think of something you’ve never thought of before? That happened to me with today's gospel.

What I never noticed before was how the man ran up to Jesus just like a child would. He knelt down right in front of him excitedly looking up to him, like a little kid would when his teacher is about to read his favorite picture book to the class. The man came to Jesus just as Jesus often told people to- like a child. Though there is one big difference. When you continue reading you see that instead of entrusting Jesus to take care of his material needs, just as a child would of his parents, the man walks away not willing to give up all he thinks he needs/wants. Jesus presented the man with a decision and instead of choosing Jesus, he walks away sad. 

If you think about how a typical child would take care of himself, you might picture a sugary, greasy, and otherwise unhealthy breakfast, lunch and dinner. The kid would most definitely be enjoying himself, but he is lacking the nutrition he needs to grow and thrive. We know how that story goes… sooner or later all of those decisions are going to catch up with the kid. Jesus is asking the man in the gospel to choose Him, yet the man does not. ​

While Jesus even refers to his disciples as children in this gospel, that doesn’t mean he is giving us permission to be childish. God is calling us to something greater than what that man chose. We are called to be like a child, to put our total dependency on God, and not to worry what we are to lose on this earth. Instead, we are to look to Him with eagerness of anticipation for what is to come! 

Would you choose Christ? Are you willing to give up everything you have, everything you’ve worked for, everything you want to become… for Christ? For me, I think about how I am just months away from graduating college. All of the long nights studying, all of the school breaks preparing for the next semester, all of the other difficult obstacles I overcame- could I give up my diploma if Jesus asked me to? This diploma is my gateway for the rest of my life I have planned! 

I think the man walked away sad either because (1) he realized he chose worldly gratification rather than eternal happiness or (2) he didn’t understand that giving up his worldly possessions to follow Christ would make him happier than he ever thought possible.

Though God may or may not ask me to give up my diploma for Him, I sure hope that I will choose to follow Jesus in every small and big decision.  I pray this for you too!

What is your relationship with God like? How is He calling you to be closer to Him?

When I am looking at my relationship with God am I being childish or child like?

​How can I choose Christ today. 

"I choose Christ." 

"Jesus, I trust in you."
​
​"Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who are determined to enter it." - St. John Paul II

Reflect on yesterday. Where did you have the opportunity to choose Christ, but instead you turned from Him. How can you choose Him today? 

The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7 is literally a lesson on living our lives directly from the mouth of Jesus himself, as if we were sitting there that day with the multitudes of his followers. Do this: picture yourself now, sitting on that mountain listening to Jesus, looking up at him as the sun warms your back. Picture your closest friends listening by your side, earnestly soaking in everything this remarkable man is saying. His words make so much sense as you hear them, simple truths and logical conclusions. How you feel inspired to love by the message you are hearing.

As you listen, you now hear Jesus speak directly to you regarding the many anxieties you’ve been dealing with. Quickly you know in your heart that he is very much aware of your worries and fears. He aches that you feel this way. He walks to you, sits down besides you and puts his arm around your shoulder. “My friend, do not worry so.” he implores, “My Father loves you and looks after you. Do not worry about your chemistry test next week, about your grades, about your score on the ACT, about college. Your life is so much more than these things.”

“Do not worry about what you think is wrong with you…” he continues, “about what others think of you. My Father created you the way he wanted you to be. He has given you your own unique gifts, and will help you use them.” 

He gestures to your friends sitting near you. “Your gift is to love these brothers and sisters of yours. Do you not know they also worry? Help them. Do the will of my Father and care for His children whom He loves above all things. All you need will be provided to you in this. I also will help you. In turn, welcome the help they can give to you. Help each other, look after each other, and love each other.”

“I do not mean to say that you should not study, or work hard, or plan for your future. No, these efforts will all serve to permit you to better offer the gifts my Father has bestowed upon you. Concern yourself with these things, but do not let them tear your soul apart. Push away the fears you feel, they only serve to distract you from your true purpose. Allow my Father to worry about providing what you need, and setting you on your path. He will do this. He does this for all His children.” 

Jesus' words never stop speaking to us. We just have to stop worrying and listen.

Have you ever let yourself hear Jesus talk directly to you like the reflection today? How did you feel as you were reflecting in this way?

Why do you think we have so many worries and so much anxiety in the world today? What are some ways you can overcome that and trust God more?

Would you have been anxious with Jesus sitting right next you? With the comfort of his love and his arm around you? You can have this same comfort at Mass or in Adoration, so why don't we run there when we are stressed or anxious?

"Do not worry about tomorrow."

"God always provides."

"Jesus, I trust in you!"

Find the closest Adoration Chapel to you and go there this week. Get comfortable in His Presence so that when stress and anxiety do come, you are comfortable running to Him in the Eucharist first!

There is something so beautiful and innate to human flourishing and a purpose-filled life in the idea of bearing fruit: the concept of blossoming and bringing life and worthwhile love through our faith and our everyday lives. 

In Jeremiah, the Lord promises that we will be fruitful if we place our trust in Him: 

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit. 

A friend and beautiful Christian witness and blogger, Kristin Stockfisch, wrote this story on her Instagram page a few weeks ago. She had posted a photo of a lime tree, each lime covered in tiny water droplets, and shared a moment of realization she had after reflecting on the experience of the tree in her backyard in Santa Barbara, California: 

“We have a lime tree in our backyard that we almost threw away because it didn't produce any fruit for a year. Today there are limes everywhere AND those limes are covered in rain. In the middle of a massive drought - rain is falling on a once-barren tree. 

When I was in Africa I asked our guide, Sam, about the term 'over-spiritualize' and if anyone in Uganda would ever think to use that term like we do in the U.S. Quietly, simply and confidently- he said... 'No. Everything is spiritual.' So I'm letting this little lime tree encourage me today. If you feel like you haven't produced anything good in a year or more, if you are feeling like life is dry and the rain is nowhere in sight, if you feel like it may not be worth it to believe the best of God ... be reminded that the fruitful season is coming, the rain will again wash away what's dry and God's goodness will look and taste sweeter than ever before.’"

Kristin’s words hit a core: “if you feel like it may not be worth it to believe the best of God…” In the dry season, it is often hard to remember that the rain will come again. That happiness and love and joy will come to our lives once again. 

But the fruitful season IS coming. He promises this to those who trust Him, and He promises that He will be faithful to His word. And those who trust in the Him will show no distress, even during the drought, and will bear fruit. 

In today's reading from Sirach, the Lord reminds us that each of us is created in His image, given the wisdom, discipline, and understanding to trust Him, to follow Him, and to glory in the wonder of His deeds. What have we got to lose? Trust Him, and let the waters of His love nourish us and transform us from our deepest roots. ​

Would you describe the place you are in right now as a time of flourishing or a drought? Why is that what you're experiencing? Where is God taking you in this place?

When and why do you struggle to trust God, if ever? How can you do a better job of turning those things over to Him?

What ways is God working to transform your life right? Take some time to take stock of where God is working in your life and has been recently. 

"You are good."

"You are faithful."

​"I trust in You."

Take some time today to focus on what God is doing in a specific moment. Put your phone down, listen to the people around, and focus on the fact that even if it feels like a drought and it's difficult, God is working in your life and promises to be faithful when we remain close to Him.