Lent Reflection - Forgiveness

 A Season to Tear Our Hearts, Not Just Our Garments

There is something deeply humbling about this season.

Lent is not about looking religious. It is not about dramatic displays of sacrifice or public declarations of repentance. God does not desire an outward show if our hearts remain unchanged.

As the Lord says in Book of Joel 2:12–13:

“Return to Me now, while there is time.

Give Me your hearts.

Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,

but tear your hearts instead.”

In biblical times, tearing one’s garments was a public sign of sorrow. But God makes it clear - He is not after torn fabric. He is after surrendered hearts.

He calls us back not with condemnation, but with mercy.

He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. He desires restoration more than punishment.

Remembering Who We Are

Lent gently reminds us of our humanity.

“For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” - Genesis 3:19

Those words ground us. They quiet our pride. They remind us that life is fragile, temporary, and sacred. We pause. We reflect. We examine the state of our souls.

This season invites us into deeper reflection about God’s grace and mercy - and it calls us to extend that same mercy to others.

A Reflection for the Heart

If you are unsure where to begin this Lent, start here:

Have I truly forgiven those who have wronged me?

This question is not for them.

It is for us.

Not to minimize the pain.

Not to excuse what happened.

But to honestly examine our own hearts before God.

At Mass, we pray the Lord's Prayer almost every day:

“Forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Those words are powerful. They are also confronting.

When we say them, do we mean them?

Why Begin with Forgiveness?

Because forgiveness frees the one who forgives.

It is not pretending the wound did not hurt. It is not saying what happened was acceptable. Forgiveness is choosing to release the bitterness into God’s hands.

It is surrendering the anger, the frustration, the stress, the sadness - and saying, “Lord, I trust You with this.”

Scripture reminds us:

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…” - Ephesians 4:31–32

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them…” - Mark 11:25

Forgiveness is not weakness. It is spiritual strength.

It is choosing freedom over resentment.

It is allowing love to have the final word.

What We Are Called to This Season

Lent calls us to four sacred practices:

Pray. Fast. Repent. Reflect.

Through prayer, we draw near to God.

Through fasting, we discipline our desires.

Through repentance, we realign our hearts.

Through reflection, we grow in awareness of His mercy.

This season is not about perfection. It is about return.

Return to Him while there is time.

Return with your whole heart.

Ask for the grace to forgive.

Ask for a heart that understands, even in pain.

Tear your heart open before the Lord — and let Him heal what has been wounded.

Because in the end, it is not the outward display that transforms us.

It is the surrendered heart.

- The Catholic Girly