Lenten Reflection Day 24 ~ Tuesday Fourth Week of Lent:

Day 24 ~ Tuesday Fourth Week of Lent:

Opening Prayers:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Confiteor (see Day 1).

Scripture Reading (Luke 11:23–26):

“He that is not with Me, is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me, scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest; and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself… and the last state of that man is made worse than the first.”

Reflection:

Conversion must not be passive. When evil is cast out of a soul, if it is not replaced by the presence of God and the practice of virtue, then that emptiness becomes a target for even worse corruption.

Jesus makes it clear: there is no neutrality in the spiritual life. “He who is not with Me, is against Me.” Either we draw near to Christ daily and fill our souls with His grace, or we risk spiritual regression, even destruction. This is especially crucial in Lent, when we cast off sins and bad habits: what will replace them?

The Church Fathers stress that true conversion involves both renunciation and renewal. We cannot merely “clean house”, we must invite Christ to dwell there. Otherwise, the soul becomes like a swept but vacant room—vulnerable to the return of past vices.

One of the great lessons of Lent is that virtue is not automatic. It must be pursued intentionally. If we’ve given up sloth or impurity, we must now pursue diligence and chastity. If we’ve confessed anger, we must cultivate gentleness. Emptiness is not holiness. Holiness is the fullness of charity, humility, and obedience.

In fact, spiritual pride often enters when one has conquered obvious sins. The devil, cast out by one door, seeks another through vanity or complacency. We must therefore be vigilant. Our progress in Lent must be anchored in prayer, sacraments, and firm resolutions to grow in virtue. Every time we resist evil, we must replace it with good.

Lent is not just about emptying - it is about being filled. Jesus wants to inhabit the soul. “If any man love Me… My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him” (John 14:23). Let us not leave the house empty, but invite the Divine Guest with love.

Identify one vice you have been trying to eliminate this Lent, and now choose one specific virtue to cultivate in its place. For example, replace gossip with a daily word of encouragement to someone; replace overindulgence with a small fast and almsgiving.

Saintly Insight:

St. Bernard of Clairvaux warned, “It is dangerous to drive out the vices if the void they leave is not filled with virtues.” He advised souls to pursue daily acts of love and humility after Confession, lest the soul’s emptiness become a breeding ground for pride or relapse.

Closing Prayers:

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

V: Let us bless the Lord.

R: Thanks be to God.

V: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R: Amen.