Lent is always one of the best times of the year for my own spiritual growth. By participating, we are confronted with the reality of God’s love for us. In today’s Gospel, I was particularly struck by Jesus’s statement, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me.” These words, coming from Jesus, mean so much to me. It is very easy to become wrapped up in school and never take time outside of Mass to really think about how blessed we are. However, we cannot “glorify” ourselves and our accomplishments. We should follow Saint Thérèse’s example and offer up all of our earthly deeds to God. My academic studies are not separate from my spiritual growth; everything with which I am blessed is the result of God’s love. I carry God with me in all my classes, through all my papers and all my tests.

This Lent, I have been thinking more deeply about my relationship with God and have become more mindful when I pray. This Gospel reminds us that we must remember to live for God. Jesus urges us to step outside of ourselves. The beauty of the spring that has been blooming around me on-campus reminds me that God’s glory is everywhere I look. He is in every puddle sparkling with sunlight, every blade of grass stretching towards the sky. His love is all around us, and starting this Lent, we should fully open our hearts to feel Him. Glorifying ourselves means nothing; His glory is worth everything.