At times, we will indignantly cry out to God, "What did I do to deserve this?" But today, we reflect: "What did I do that Jesus deserved this suffering?" And, in awe and wonder, think, "What did I do to deserve this mercy?" We could do nothing to deserve it - it is a free gift of love!

Tears ran down the Face of God. Does this not fill us with wonder? And yet - why did He weep? Precisely because He is human, He has a human heart that is grieved by the death of His friend, by the faithlessness of those around Him, and by the very necessity of death itself. And yet, as the Resurrection and the Life, He alone can wipe away tears and bring about hope and healing!

We use many candles in our Catholic Faith - at Easter, at our Baptism, at our death. But candles are even fitting during Lent because they show us how we are to live our Catholic faith during this holy time: by drawing close to the flame (prayer), by letting ourselves be consumed (fasting), and by giving off light (almsgiving). A Catholic ought to become like a candle this Lent!

This story of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman is an intriguing one. It teaches us to think of spiritual realities rather than earthly ones; it teaches us how to give God true worship; and it shows us the infinite love of God even for the outcasts. Let's dive into this famous story from John 4 to see why it was necessary for Christ to encounter this woman...and change her life forever.

One of the greatest truths in the spiritual life is that the road to glory always leads through the Cross. But why is that? Can't it be any other way? Yet, in the Christian view, suffering isn't a tragedy but an act of love and detachment that God may be our all-in-all. So don't run from it, but embrace it...and keep your eyes fixed on the glory that awaits.

Cicero said that it was better to be, rather than to appear. Jesus says something similar in the Gospel - it is far more important to truly be a Christian rather than to appear to be one based on the ashes on our forehead. This Lent, make the resolution to take the steps necessary to actually become a follower of Jesus Christ through repentance of sins, Confession and Mass, and making Jesus the center of your life.

Today we conclude our three-week series on Christ's Rules for Happiness - the Beatitudes, as we look at the blessedness of being pure of heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for the sake of righteousness.

As we continue our discussion of Jesus' eight signposts of happiness (aka the Beatitudes), we ponder what it means to be meek, merciful, and to hunger and thirst for holiness!