Lenten Reflection - Father Philip Clement

As we prepare to enter the sacred season of Lent, I invite you to reflect on the profound beauty and grace this time offers us as followers of Jesus Christ. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, Lent is a holy invitation to renew our hearts and draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

On Ash Wednesday, we gather to receive the mark of ashes, a powerful sign of our mortality and need for repentance. The ashes, placed on our foreheads in the shape of a cross, remind us of the words, “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This solemn beginning calls us to humility, urging us to turn away from sin and live the Gospel with greater sincerity. It is not merely an external ritual but an inward call to transformation, to align our hearts with the mercy and love of Christ.

The forty days of Lent mirror the time Jesus spent in the desert, fasting, praying, and resisting temptation. We are invited to imitate his example by embracing the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer deepens our relationship with God and opens our hearts to his will. During Lent, I encourage you to set aside intentional time each day to pray—whether through the Rosary, Scripture meditation, or simply sitting in silent conversation with the Lord. The Stations of the Cross, a cherished Lenten devotion, offer a powerful way to walk with Christ on His journey to Calvary.

Fasting teaches us self-discipline and reminds us that our ultimate hunger is for God. By abstaining from certain foods or practices, we create space in our lives for spiritual growth. Let us remember that fasting is not only about giving something up but also about making room for God’s grace to fill us.

Almsgiving, the practice of giving to those in need, embodies Christ’s call to love our neighbor. Lent is a time to share our blessings with the poor, the marginalized, and the lonely. In doing so, we serve Christ Himself, who is present in the least among us.

My brothers and sisters, as we journey together through Lent, let us embrace this season of grace with open hearts. May our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving draw us closer to the Risen Christ, whose victory over sin and death we will joyfully celebrate at Easter.

I remain in prayer for your holiness and God’s abundant blessings this Lenten season, Fr. Philip.

Father Philip Clement is pastor of the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Bar Harbor, St. Joseph Parish in Ellsworth, and Stella Maris Parish in Bucksport.