# First Week of Lent: God Is With Us in the Least of Our Brothers
*2022-03-11*

> Bill and John reflect on the Gospel reading for the first Monday of Lent, pray a consecration to Mary and St. Joseph, and explore how caring for the least among us is caring for Christ Himself.

## Opening Prayer and Consecration

We began with a prayer of consecration to Our Lady and St. Joseph, asking them to intercede for us as members of the Holy Family. We invoked God the Father’s infinite love, requesting that Mary and Joseph watch over us, our families, and our vocations, that we might grow in holiness and be led to the heavenly kingdom.

## Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

We offered a prayer for the souls in purgatory, especially those nearest to the glory of God, that they might be released from their suffering and enter into eternal praise.

## The Gospel of Matthew (25:31‑46)

The Gospel reading reminded us that when Christ returns in glory, He will separate the sheep from the goats. The “sheep” are those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and went to prison. Christ says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The “goats” are those who ignored the same needs and will face eternal punishment.

We discussed how this passage challenges us to see every act of charity—big or small—as service to Christ Himself.

## Living the Gospel in Lent

We reflected on how Lent is a time to form habits of generosity, not just temporary sacrifices. Giving a miraculous medal, a prayer card, or a kind word can be a powerful witness, especially when we lack money. The goal is to make love for the least a permanent part of our Christian life.

We also shared personal signs of God’s presence—a blue light behind a picture of Mary, a sunbeam forming a cross in a bathroom window—reminding us that God is constantly at work in ordinary moments.

## Divine Mercy Prayers

We prayed the Litany of Divine Mercy, affirming that God’s mercy flows from the heart of Jesus to all creation, especially to sinners. The repeated refrain, “I trust in you,” expressed our confidence in God’s boundless compassion.

*When we care for the least among us, we are caring for Christ Himself, and that love should become a lasting habit, not just a Lenten exercise.*