Lent, in the Christian tradition, is a period of 40 days of fasting, prayer, and penance that begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates in the joyous celebration of Easter. Traditionally, this time has been seen as an opportunity for Christians to reflect on their lives, repent, and renew their faith. However, for many, Lent has become a period of rituals and outward observance—sacrifices made for the sake of tradition rather than for genuine spiritual growth. In our fast-paced, modern world, where every minute seems to be filled with obligations and distractions, the true essence of Lent is often lost. But is there not a deeper call to this season of reflection and devotion? A call that reaches beyond rituals and sermons, toward the lives we touch daily, the suffering we overlook, and the love we can offer to those most in need?

In a world that moves at a rapid pace, where technology, ambition, and noise dominate our daily experiences, it becomes increasingly difficult to pause, reflect, and take stock of our relationships—both with God and with those around us. We are often so caught up in the hustle of life that we forget about the silent suffering of those around us. People in our communities, in our workplaces, and even in our families may be silently choking on their burdens, trapped in a state of suffocation, unable to raise their voices, and yet, how often do we stop to notice? How many of us, in the frenzy of modern life, truly see those whose pain is invisible to the eye?
Lent is not simply about personal discipline—it is about the call to love. It’s a call to step outside the confines of our own lives and consider those whom society has left behind. We have all heard the well-worn admonitions to give up chocolate, social media, or some other form of comfort during Lent. While these sacrifices are not without merit, they are ultimately symbolic, a small gesture that helps to sharpen our focus. The deeper question, however, is whether we are using this season to genuinely open our eyes and hearts to the suffering of others. Do we consider the many people around us who are struggling with isolation, hunger, depression, or despair?
As Christians, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. Jesus’ ministry was not about offering farcical rituals or empty sermons, but about showing love, compassion, and care to those who were in need. He healed the sick, comforted the grieving, and welcomed the outcasts. In this sense, the true devotion of Lent should not be confined to a series of personal sacrifices. Instead, it should prompt us to act—to seek out those who need our love and care, and to offer it freely. This devotion should call us to move beyond the church building and into the world where people are suffering silently.
Lent is a time for self-examination, to reflect on the ways in which we have failed to love those around us, and to actively seek opportunities to serve. It is not enough to simply observe rituals; the real challenge is to transform those rituals into actions that have tangible impact in the lives of others. This might mean reaching out to someone who is struggling with mental health, offering a helping hand to someone in financial distress, or simply taking the time to listen to someone who feels unheard. It is about making room in our lives for others and finding ways to alleviate their suffering, no matter how small the action may seem.
This is where true devotion lies—not in the outward observance of rituals, but in the practical acts of love and service that reflect the heart of the Christian faith. True devotion is a call to open our eyes to the suffering that surrounds us, to recognize the suffocating burdens that so many people bear in silence, and to do whatever we can to lift them up.
As we move through Lent, let us challenge ourselves to look beyond the farcical rituals and empty sermons. Let us ask ourselves not just what we can give up, but what we can give. Can we give time to someone who is lonely? Can we give care to someone who is sick? Can we give attention to someone whose voice has been silenced by fear, shame, or hopelessness?
Lent is not about how much we sacrifice for our own benefit, but how much we can offer for the benefit of others. It’s about reorienting our hearts and minds toward the love of Christ, which calls us to actively seek out the lost, the hurting, and the forgotten in our world. It is about moving past empty gestures and truly living out the message of love and compassion that Jesus demonstrated.
The world may move at a rapid pace, but that is precisely why we must slow down during Lent. We must create space in our hearts and lives to truly see and care for those who are suffocating, who are struggling in silence. Through prayer, reflection, and action, we can make this Lent a time of genuine devotion—a time not just of personal renewal, but of collective healing and love.
In the end, true devotion during Lent is not about looking inward alone, but outward toward the world that needs our love and care. Let this be a Lent where we move beyond the rituals, where we see and serve those around us with the love of Christ. Let us make Lent a season of action, of compassion, and of deep, transformative love.