Day Twenty-Nine: Love That Remembers
Monday, Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture Passage:
“I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Opening Reflection:
Lent calls us to embody love in action. This Monday of the Fifth Week reawakens in us the truth that faith is never abstract or distant. It is lived out concretely in how we treat others—especially those in need. Jesus identifies Himself with the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. Whatever we do for them, we do for Him. Love, then, is not just emotion or intention—it is presence, sacrifice, and memory. To love truly, we must remember who we are, who God is, and what He has asked of us.

Meditative Reflection:
Mother Teresa powerfully reminds us that love “has to hurt.” It demands a self-giving that echoes the Cross, where Jesus poured Himself out for all. This radical form of charity does not simply avoid harm; it reaches out to do good, even when inconvenient. That’s what Lent invites us to—giving until it hurts, loving until it transforms both us and those around us.

Yet, we often forget. Like the disciples who stood in awe of Jesus’ miracles and still faltered in fear at the Cross, we too lose sight of God’s truth when trials come. Jesus knows this tendency and reassures us of the Advocate—the Holy Spirit—who brings to mind everything He has taught us. The Spirit helps us remember who we are called to be: bearers of love, justice, and mercy. Our Lenten sacrifices and prayers are not rituals for their own sake—they are means of remembering God’s voice and living it out daily in compassion.

Reflection Questions:
Do I allow the Holy Spirit to remind me of the truth I’ve heard in moments of grace? How can I love more concretely today especially when it’s difficult?

Lenten Question:
Q: Is there a biblical basis for abstaining from meat as a sign of repentance?
A: Yes. In Daniel 10:1-3, the prophet describes a fast from “choice food,” including meat and wine, as a sign of mourning and repentance before God.

Lenten Action:
Reach out with an act of mercy today: make a donation, help someone in need, or offer your time generously even when it’s uncomfortable.

Concluding Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You became poor for our sake, identifying Yourself with the least and the lowly. Remind me, through Your Spirit, to love not just in word but in action. Help me to remember Your teachings and to live them through concrete acts of mercy. May my love reflect Yours—a love that gives, a love that remembers, a love that heals. Amen.

Resources for Lenten Prayers and Reflections:

Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Lenten Reflections | EWTN | https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/reflections/lent

Lenten Prayers and Daily Reflections | My Catholic Life | https://mycatholic.life/lent-prayers-reflections/