Story: The Child Who Thought He Was Unloved

Ethan was seventeen, and like many teenagers, he believed he had everything figured out. His parents, however, seemed to stand in his way. They had rules—curfews, limits on screen time, expectations about schoolwork – and Ethan thought they were unfair. He often overheard his friends talking about how easy going their parents were, and he felt jealous. “I’m the only one who’s trapped,” he would grumble. His frustration grew, especially when his parents refused to let him go on certain trips or stay out late with friends they didn’t trust. In Ethan’s mind, they were controlling and out of touch. They don’t get me, he thought. They don’t care what I want. One night, after a heated argument, Ethan packed a small bag and left home. He was sure he could manage on his own.

At first, life outside his parents’ house felt thrilling. He stayed with a friend for a few days, coming and going as he pleased. No one told him what to do. But soon, reality hit hard. His money ran out. His friend’s family grew uncomfortable with him staying there. He ended up sleeping on couches and eventually in a shelter. He was hungry, cold, and scared. Worse, he began to realise the people he thought were his friends weren’t really there for him. Maybe mum and dad weren’t trying to ruin my life, he thought. Maybe they really were looking out for me.

But shame kept him stuck. He was too embarrassed to call them. What if they don’t want me back? Still, late one night, after weeks away, he picked up his phone and texted his mum. “I’m sorry mum. Can I come home?” Almost immediately, his phone rang. His mum’s voice was shaky but filled with relief. “Ethan! Where are you? We’re coming to get you.” Within an hour, his parents arrived. His father got out of the car and wrapped him in a tight hug. His mother wept as she held his face in her hands. They didn’t ask questions. They didn’t lecture him. They simply said, “We’re just glad you’re home.”

Inside the house, things had changed—but not in the way Ethan expected. His room was just as he left it, but now he noticed all the little things his parents had done for him – photos on the wall, clean clothes folded neatly, his favourite meals waiting. He realised they hadn’t been trying to control him. They had been protecting him because they loved him. Over time, they talked about what had happened. There were tears and apologies, but there was also healing. And Ethan slowly understood something deeper: Home was where he was loved, even when he didn’t deserve it. Even when he had misunderstood their love. Even when he had walked away.

Reflection: God’s Mercy Is Always Waiting for Us

This story echoes Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Like Ethan, many of us have moments when we believe God’s laws and guidance are restrictive or unfair. We want to live on our own terms, convinced we know best. But God’s commandments are not there to control us; they’re there to protect us, to lead us to life. When we wander far, God doesn’t abandon us. Like Ethan’s parents, God runs to meet us the moment we turn back.

• His love is not resentful.
• His mercy is not delayed.
• His joy is in welcoming us home.

And when we come home, we discover that what we thought was harshness was really deep, protective love.

The Devil’s Strategies: Lies That Distance Us from God. The enemy often twists the truth:

• “God’s rules are unfair.”
• “He’s holding you back from freedom.”
• “If you walk away, you’ll be happier.”

But these lies lead us far from home – into loneliness, emptiness, and spiritual hunger. The devil also tries to convince us it’s too late to return, filling us with shame and fear. But God’s mercy is stronger than any failure. He waits, watching for our return.

Call to Action

This Lent is the perfect time to “come home”:

• If you’ve been distant from God, come back in prayer.
• If you’ve been away from the Sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist, return.
• If you’ve doubted God’s love, ask Him to show you the tenderness of His heart.

There is a place for you in God’s house. You are always welcome.

Prayer

Loving Father,
Sometimes I think I know better.
Sometimes I run from Your love,
believing I can make my own way.
But I find myself lost and empty.
Thank You for always waiting for me,
for running to meet me when I return.
Help me trust Your love and live in the freedom of being Your child. Amen

Story: From Despising Confession to Bearing Fruit

For twenty years, Anthony lived life on his own terms. On the outside, everything seemed successful – he was a respected entrepreneur, with a growing business and a wide circle of admirers. He knew how to charm people. He donated to charities, sponsored local events, and even showed up at Mass during Christmas and Easter. People thought highly of him.

But behind closed doors, Anthony’s life told a different story. His marriage was cold and distant, his children barely spoke to him, and he drowned his emptiness in gambling and casual affairs. He carried guilt, though he pretended not to. Whenever he passed by a church, something tugged at his conscience, but he always brushed it off. “God knows I’m a good person,” he told himself. Confession? That was for people with weak wills or old ladies who had nothing better to do. He openly mocked it: “Why confess to a priest? They’re sinners too. I can talk to God on my own.” And he did – whenever he got into trouble, he threw up a quick prayer. But deep down, he kept his heart locked.

One evening, Anthony was invited by an old friend to attend a Lenten parish mission. “It’ll be good for you,” his friend insisted. Out of politeness – and perhaps curiosity – Anthony agreed. The church was packed, but Anthony sat in the back, arms folded, already planning his exit strategy. Then the priest began to preach. He didn’t lecture or condemn. He spoke about God’s mercy, about a Father who waits for His child to come home, and about how sin hardens us without us even realizing it.

But it was one line that broke through Anthony’s defences: “You may think you’ve gone too far, that it’s too late, or that you don’t need Confession. But God is not tired of waiting. He’s only waiting for you to come back.” Anthony felt something he hadn’t felt in years—a longing to be free. Still, pride held him back. “Not me,” he thought. “I’m fine.” But his friend, seeing the struggle on Anthony’s face, quietly whispered, “I’ll go with you.” And for reasons Anthony couldn’t explain, he got up and walked toward the confessional.

He knelt down, his hands shaking. When the priest opened the screen, Anthony froze. “Father… it’s been… twenty years.” The priest’s voice was gentle. “Welcome home. Take your time.” And the dam broke. Anthony confessed everything – the betrayals, the lies, the addiction, the anger he carried toward God. He spoke until there were no more words. And then the priest said something that changed his life: “Anthony, God never stopped loving you. He’s been waiting all this time. And today, there’s more rejoicing in Heaven than you can imagine.”

As the priest prayed the words of absolution, Anthony felt a weight he didn’t even know he was carrying lift from his shoulders. He walked out of the confessional not just forgiven, but new. For the first time in twenty years, he was free. He cried like a child. That night, he didn’t go back to his empty house or his old habits. He went to his wife and children, and in his stumbling words, he asked for their forgiveness. The journey of healing was slow, but it had begun. And Anthony knew one thing: God had given him another year to bear fruit. This time, he wouldn’t waste it.

Reflection: The Patience and Urgency of God

In Luke 13:1-9, Jesus tells the parable of a fig tree that has borne no fruit. The owner is ready to cut it down. But the gardener pleads, “Sir, leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.” This story is not about trees. It’s about us. God’s mercy is patient, but His call is urgent. Anthony had wasted twenty years, but God didn’t give up on him. This Lent, God offers you another year to bear fruit.

• What in your life needs repentance?
• Where have you resisted the mercy that God longs to give?
• How can you use this “one more year” to grow in love and faith?

The Devil’s Strategies: Lies That Keep Us From Confession

The enemy is subtle. He convinces us: “You don’t need Confession.” “You’re not as bad as other people.” “It’s too late. God is tired of you.” “You’ll go another time. Later.”
But God’s Word tells us otherwise. He is ready to forgive, waiting to heal, and offering us time – but not forever. The time to come home is now. This Lent, don’t delay.

• Go to Confession.
• Ask for forgiveness.
• Start again.

God is digging around the soil of your heart, watering it with grace. Now is the time to bear fruit.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, You are patient with me, even when I run from You. Give me courage to return to You. Break down my pride. Open my heart to Your mercy, so I may live in Your love and bear fruit for Your Kingdom. Amen.

A Glimpse of Glory in the Valley of Suffering

Maria had always believed in God’s goodness. She had taught her children to pray, to trust in Jesus, and to find comfort in His promises. But when her eight-year-old daughter, Sophie, was diagnosed with a serious illness, her faith was shaken to its core.

At first, Maria clung to prayer like a lifeline, believing that if she just prayed hard enough, God would heal Sophie quickly. But as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the hospital visits grew longer, the treatments harsher, and Sophie’s little body weaker.

One night, after hours of watching her daughter sleep restlessly in a hospital bed, Maria slipped into the chapel down the hall. The dim light of the sanctuary lamp flickered before the tabernacle. She knelt, but no words came. “God, where are You?” she whispered. Doubt crept into her mind: If God is good, why is Sophie suffering? If He is powerful, why hasn’t He healed her? If He loves me, why does He feel so far away?

The Devil’s Strategies

In the valley of suffering, the devil’s voice is loud:

“If God really loved you, He wouldn’t allow this.”
“You prayed, but nothing changed. Maybe prayer is useless.”
“Others have received miracles — why not you? Maybe you don’t deserve it.”
“If you walk away from faith now, at least you won’t be disappointed again.”

Maria felt the weight of these whispers pressing down on her heart. The temptation wasn’t to do something sinful – it was to let go of faith, to stop hoping, to stop believing in God’s goodness. The next morning, exhausted and numb, she opened her Bible. Her eyes fell on the story of the Transfiguration:

“Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And He was transfigured before them…” (Mark 9:2-10).

Maria read the passage slowly. The disciples had been following Jesus for years, yet they still didn’t fully understand who He was. So, on Mount Tabor, Jesus gave them a glimpse of His divine glory — a light so bright it pierced their fear, a vision so overwhelming they fell to the ground in awe. Then came the words that struck Maria’s heart:

“This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.”

Climbing the Mountain of Faith

Maria closed her eyes. “Lord,” she whispered, “I don’t need all the answers. I just need to see Your glory.” That prayer didn’t change Sophie’s illness overnight. But it changed Maria. She began to see small glimpses of God’s presence: in the kindness of the nurses, in the friends who brought meals to her home, in the peace she felt even in the hardest moments.

One evening, as she sat by Sophie’s bedside, her daughter opened her eyes and smiled weakly. “Mom,” she said, “I saw Jesus in my dream last night. He told me not to be afraid.” Tears filled Maria’s eyes. Sophie’s healing wouldn’t be instant. There would still be struggles. But now, Maria knew she wasn’t alone in the valley – because once you’ve seen the light on the mountain, you carry it with you.

Reflection: Seeing Glory in the Darkness

The Transfiguration wasn’t just for Jesus — it was for the disciples, to strengthen their faith before they faced the darkness of the cross. Like them, we all have our valleys of suffering. The devil will try to convince us that God is absent, that our prayers are pointless, that faith is a waste. But if we keep climbing — if we hold onto Christ even when we don’t understand — we will see His glory in ways we never imagined.

This week, ask yourself:

• Where do I need to trust God even when I don’t see the answer?
• How is the enemy tempting me to doubt God’s goodness?
• What glimpses of His presence have I overlooked?
• Faith is not about avoiding suffering – it’s about seeing God in the midst of it. Keep climbing the mountain. The light of Christ is waiting

Let us pray: Lord, we don’t need all the answers. We just need to see Your glory. Amen

The Longest Forty Days

James had built his life on hard work and self-determination. He was the kind of man who believed that as long as he put in the effort, success would follow. He had climbed the corporate ladder, provided for his family, and prided himself on being in control of his destiny. But life has a way of humbling even the strongest.

One Friday afternoon, James was called into his boss’s office. The news hit like a punch to the gut – his position had been eliminated. After ten years of dedication, it was over in a ten-minute conversation. At first, James told himself he would find another job quickly. He updated his resume, networked, sent out applications. But weeks turned into months, and rejection after rejection chipped away at his confidence. Bills piled up. His savings dwindled. He began to feel like a failure, and worse — he felt abandoned by God.

“Where are You, Lord?” he whispered one night, staring at the ceiling in the dark. “I’ve done everything right. Why have You left me? “

The Devil’s Strategies

In the silence of his despair, the devil’s whispers grew louder:
“You see? You were never really in control.”
“You are powerless. You are alone.”
“God isn’t answering because He doesn’t care.”
“Look at the people who have wronged you — they are thriving while you suffer.”
“What’s the point of praying? Hasn’t God already failed you?”

Doubt slithered into James’s mind like a serpent in the desert. He stopped praying. He stopped reading Scripture. He stopped believing that things could change. One evening, while scrolling through job postings, he came across an old friend’s social media profile. The friend had just been promoted to an executive role, the very type of position James had been striving for. A wave of jealousy and bitterness rose in his chest. “You should have been in that position,” the voice whispered. “God gives to others, but not to you. Maybe you should start taking shortcuts. Maybe faith is for fools.” The temptation was real. He could bend his principles, manipulate his way into a job, maybe even exact revenge on those who had wronged him. But deep down, James knew these thoughts were leading him further from the light.

The Place of Trust

The next morning, exhausted and empty, James walked into a small chapel near his home. He hadn’t stepped foot inside in years. He sat in the back, watching the flickering candles, listening to the quiet murmurs of prayer. A verse came to his heart: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) Tears welled in his eyes. For months, he had fought to fix everything on his own. He had leaned on his own strength, his own plans. But now, sitting before God, he realised he had never truly surrendered. He closed his eyes and whispered, “Lord, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to move forward. But I choose to trust You.” It wasn’t an easy prayer. It wasn’t a prayer that erased all his struggles in an instant. But it was a beginning. A shift. A moment of true surrender.

A few days later, on a beautiful morning, James’s phone rang. It was his old friend — the one he had envied just days before. “I don’t know why, but I kept thinking about you today,” his friend said. “There’s an opening at my company, and I think you’d be perfect for it. Would you be interested?” James was speechless. This wasn’t about getting the perfect job. It was about realising that God had never left him. Even in the silence, even in the waiting, God had been working.

Reflection: Trust in the Wilderness

Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, facing temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). The devil tried to shake His trust in the Father by offering easy solutions – bread to satisfy hunger, power to prove Himself, shortcuts to glory. But Jesus chose trust over temptation.

Lent is our wilderness. It is a time when the enemy will whisper doubts, when our faith may feel weak, when we may question whether God sees us. But in those moments, we are invited to do what James did – to surrender, to trust and to wait for the God who never abandons His children.

This week, ask yourself:

• Where am I relying on my own strength instead of trusting in God?
• What temptations are trying to pull me away from faith?
• How can I practice true surrender in my struggles?

Lent is not just about suffering – it’s about transformation. And that transformation begins when we trust the One who leads us through the desert.

Oh Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!