A Reflection for the Saturday of the First Week of Lent

Lent this year feels like a particularly striking time marker. It was almost a year ago that we were all sent home for a “spring break” that turned into months after months. For me, it was almost a year ago that I myself got sick with COVID-19. I’ve spent a lot of time the past few days thinking about the three weeks I spent solely entirely in my room, separate from the rest of my family. I remember feeling completely helpless–different members of my family were working day in and day out to bring me homemade meals prepared with love; my sister sat with me for hours from across the hall to keep me company; and my family facetimed me into dinner to make me feel less alone. I felt such an outpouring of love, and felt like there was nothing I could offer in return.

But in those three weeks, I also felt a unique closeness to God. I realized that although I couldn’t do any physical acts of service for my family, I could devote my time to praying for the grace to let God’s light shine through me. It wasn’t a lot, but it was all I could do. And in my own way, I was giving love to my family. While I’m (thankfully) no longer confined to my room, I still carry that experience close to my heart.

As Lauren Daigle said in her new song (released yesterday!), “when I’m not somebody I believe in, hold on to me.” Let us all pray that this Lent, we may remember that regardless of how powerless we feel, God will hold us. We have enough to offer, but more importantly, that we are enough.  Know that I am praying for each of you in a special way today as well! Even from our little corners of Yale, we can all be lights that shine for each other.