On the Sunday before Lent begins this year, Sunday 27th February, the Church gives us the Gospel reading where Jesus says, “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? … Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.” 

It is much easier to see what is in the way of other people’s relationship with Jesus. It is difficult to see what is in the way of us growing in relationship with Our Lord. 

The season of Lent is the opportunity to “Take the plank out of your own eye.” Take up the thirty minute challenge, spend 30 minutes with Jesus asking Him these questions: 

• Lord, what do you see that I am allowing to get in your way? 
• What holds me back from saying a more complete yes to you in my life? 
• How can I see myself through your eyes? 
• What distractions do I fill my time with which end up squeezing you out of my day? 
• When am I more likely to turn to something that’s harmful to me rather than turning to you? 

The Season of Lent also offers us the opportunity to replace a bad spiritual habit with something good. Our focus in Lent can be on falling in love with a new spiritually healthy habit of life. In this way, we fill our time with this good practice and slowly we push out the desire and reliance on that bad spiritual habit. So you can ask Jesus: 

• What spiritual habit can I take up this Lent? 
• How can I grow to love this spiritual habit?