The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021826.cfm The world has its “small-g gods”: sex, money, and power. In this powerful Lenten homily, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC explains how the consecrated religious counter them through poverty, chastity, and obedience—but what about the laity? The answer is the Church’s timeless Lenten call: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

In today’s Gospel, we see the profound blessing of hearing and observing the Word of God—and no one exemplifies this more perfectly than our Blessed Mother Mary. She devoured the Scriptures, rejoiced in the Word made flesh, and prepared the way for Christ. As John the Baptist said, “He must increase; I must decrease.”

On this Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fr. Mark Baron, MIC reminds us of Christ's invitation: "Come to Me... Take My yoke upon you." Jesus is not asking us to carry more weight; He is inviting us to let Him carry our burdens with us. The Christian life begins with surrender; not self-reliance.