One of the most profound Lenten devotions is a reflection on the Seven Last Words of Christ. No Gospel writer mentions all seven.

It was the summer of 1977. I had just completed my first year at the North American College and was able to get a summer job with the American Department of Defense.

The Gospel this Sunday strikes a chord that resonates deeply with the season of Lent: Repent and believe in the Gospel.

As in all things, when we read a pas-sage presented to us in the Lectionary from the holy Gospel, we need to place it into the proper context. If we read this particular passage from the Gospel according to the Evangelist St. Luke, we might get a bit confused.

The Gospel reading presented to us for the First Sunday of Lent is rather familiar to all of us — Our Lord’s temptation in the desert.

Today’s readings reveal how words and actions reveal what lies within us. In Sirach, we hear that “when a sieve is shaken, the husks appear.” It’s a reminder that when we are “shaken,” our true inner life shows itself, and in this unveiling, our words are powerful indicators. Jesus takes it a step further in today’s Gospel: “For from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Throughout the month of February, we, as a community, celebrate Black History Month. During this month, we recall the tremendous impact that men and women of color have had not just on our society but on the Church.

As a teenager growing up, I developed the practice of going to daily Mass during the summer. It was an opportunity for me to continue to grow and mature in my faith. It allowed me to begin developing a regiment of prayer and ultimately spending time before the Lord.

Just a few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit one of our Catholic schools for Catholic Schools Week. It has always been a great experience for me to spend some time with our schoolchildren and their teachers. One of the highlights of these visits is the question-and-answer time the students would have with the priest.

Since I was a kid, I have always had issues with my eyesight. I remember sitting in class struggling to read the blackboard. My teachers noticed me squinting when reading books or other texts. As I grew older, eyeglasses were very much a part of my life. They were able to help me see much more clearly.