Lent is a season of purifying reflection. People think of the word “reflect” when doing yoga meditation or when they have completed one chapter in their life, or before they begin their next endeavors. For the Christian community, Lent is a time to not only reflect but also to re-evaluate our priorities.
We feel tempted by a world that demands so much that sometimes we need to stop and take a step back on whose needs we have to meet.
In the Old Testament Scripture below, the prophet Micah tells us that God requires us to act justly, walk humbly, and to be kind with each other and oneself which can help us go a long way.
Micah 6:6-8New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
What God Requires
6 “With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
and to walk humbly with your God?
Romans 12:9-18New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly;[a] do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Footnotes
- 12.16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul took it a step further in his letter to the Romans, which is seen above, by calling on us to be joyful when feeling hopeless, praying with faithful hearts, and patient during times of affliction. Both of these scripture passages answer the question that was sung by television host and Presbyterian minister Fred Rogers, “Won’t you be my neighbor”? My local church recently had a church service on Sunday, March 22, 2026 that talked about Mr. Rogers and emphasized the same Scripture passages that I read during the service which is in the livestreamed video below.
I see priorities when I am helping out at the ACTS Food Pantry whether it is stocking food items in their respective shelves or helping community residents by loading their cars. Sometimes I help drop off items.
From the picture to the Scripture passages, the one question that comes to mind is when we have a pantry, should it be one that prioritizes our own needs or should it be one that prioritizes everybody’s?
The recent No Kings protest all over the nation also showed how different people can come together powerfully as neighbors and communities.
After Lent comes Easter, which I pray, gives me renewed hope and courage to keep moving forward. Happy Easter, everyone.
As always, please feel free to leave a comment.
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