By Sister Mary Dooley, SSND
As we prepare to enter the 2026 Lenten season, it might be helpful to reflect on the scripture passage from Mark’s gospel (Mark 8:14-21). It could serve as a preparation for the beginning of our Lenten journey.
Jesus challenges his disciples with many questions, some of them difficult and personal ones.
Do you not yet understand or comprehend?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
Do you still not understand?
Questions are good. Sometimes they challenge us, sometimes they anger us.
But all questions have a way of inviting us to pause, reflect, and possibly change our way of thinking.
When I was a newly arrived, young missionary in Liberia, West Africa, a young boy asked me a question that is still with me today: “What thing you get for this?”
Not quite understanding what he meant, another child spoke up and said he wants to know why you leave your country with lots of good things like food, television and electricity to come here. What thing you get for doing this?
It was a life-changing question for me.
I always thought about what I would give in my ministry – never what I would “get.”
That simple but powerful question has been a source of reflection for my yearly retreats as I recall “things” that I “got” from my ministries – gifts of generosity, resilience, spirituality, compassion, concern, courage, and unconditional love.
During this season of Lent, let’s take time to reflect on the questions that arise from the scriptures or other sources and allow them to speak to us.
Who knows what “thing” you might “get” that could be life-changing for you.
