Weekly Lenten Reflection - 5

22 March, 2026:

Lent is a season that calls us to move beyond ourselves and enter more deeply into the heart of Christ. It is not only a time of prayer and fasting, but also a time of action — a time to live out love in concrete ways. For young people, this Lenten journey becomes especially meaningful when it is centered on the virtue of *service*.

Service is at the core of the Christian life. It is not just about doing good deeds occasionally; it is about adopting a lifestyle of love, humility, and generosity. In a world that often promotes self-centeredness and personal success above all else, the call to serve challenges young people to live differently — to live like Christ.

Jesus Himself gives us the perfect example of service. In the Gospel of John (13:1–17), He washes the feet of His disciples — a task usually reserved for servants. Through this act, He teaches that true greatness lies in humility and self-giving love. He says, *“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”*

For youth, service is not limited to extraordinary acts. It begins in simple, everyday moments — helping at home without being asked, supporting a friend in need, listening to someone who feels alone, or offering time and energy for community and Church activities. These small acts, when done with love, become powerful expressions of faith.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that love of neighbor is inseparable from love of God. When young people serve others, they encounter Christ in a real and personal way. Service becomes not just an obligation, but a relationship — a way of loving Jesus through loving others.

In today’s fast-paced and digital world, it is easy to become absorbed in our own lives — our screens, goals, and struggles. Lent invites us to break out of this cycle and look outward. It challenges youth to ask: Who needs my help? Where can I make a difference? How can I be the hands and feet of Christ?

Service also requires sacrifice. It demands time, effort, and sometimes stepping out of comfort zones. But it is in giving that we truly receive. When young people commit themselves to serving others, they discover a deeper joy — a joy that comes not from what they gain, but from what they give.

Saint John Paul II encouraged young people to become “builders of a civilization of love.” This vision becomes real when youth take service seriously — when they choose compassion over indifference and generosity over selfishness.

Lent provides many opportunities to grow in this virtue. Volunteering, participating in outreach programs, helping the poor, or simply being present to those who are struggling — all these are ways to live out service. Even small sacrifices, like giving up time for others or sharing what we have, can make a meaningful impact.

As we reflect during this Lenten season, it is important to ask ourselves: Am I willing to serve without expecting recognition? Do I see Christ in the people around me? Am I using my time and talents to make a difference?

Service is not a burden; it is a calling. It shapes the heart, builds character, and brings us closer to God. When young people embrace service, they become instruments of God’s love in the world.

This Lent, let us open our hearts to serve with sincerity and joy. In choosing to serve, we reflect Christ more clearly — and in that reflection, we find the true meaning of love.

By Fr. Raju Challagali

Regional Youth Advisor

TCBC Commission for Youth

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