The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
When we see people deeply in love, we often describe them as having "eyes only for each other." This kind of love isn’t fleeting or superficial—it stays deeply rooted, enduring the changing seasons and inevitable challenges of life. At its core, it reflects a profound awareness in each person’s heart that their life is no longer solely their own; it is something to be shared with and sacrificed for another.
I remember experiencing this with my now-husband when we were dating. Despite his demanding job, he consistently made me a priority. Even on days we couldn’t see each other or go out, he found ways to remind me that the eyes of his heart were always fixed on me.
Perhaps you’ve witnessed this kind of love, too—in a parent, grandparent, friend, or someone from your parish. For me, I’ve seen it most profoundly in widows. During my time volunteering at a nursing home, I often heard residents speak about their deceased spouses. Sometimes, it wasn’t until much later in the conversation that I realized their spouse had passed. Their love didn’t fade with physical absence; their hearts remained steadfast, anchored in a bond stronger than death.
This image of enduring love speaks directly to the invitation of Lent. Our hearts, often restless and easily distracted, are called to return to the Lord in the same way—fully, wholly, and without reserve. The Catechism reminds us that the heart is the battlefield of faithfulness. In the quiet depths of our interior life, we choose who and how we love.
As Lent begins, the Church asks us to examine the state of our hearts. How steady is our gaze upon the Lord? Do we "only have eyes" for Him, or do lesser loves pull us away? Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not the final end of Lent but rather the means that lead us to the truth about our hearts. This sacred season holds up a mirror, reflecting whether our hearts are grounded in the truth of who we are—and in the deeper truth of to Whom we belong. Over forty days, these practices unveil the places where love holds firm and the areas where it falters, calling us to return to the One who is longing to renew us in His loving gaze.
I know from experience how easy it is to slip into doing Lent rather than living Lent in lockstep with the Lord. Fasting in particular can be more about flexing my catholicity to my community, rather than an opportunity to discover what is robbing me of intimacy with the Lord. It can feel like a spiritual "diet," measured by how much I endure or accomplish. However, the love the Lord longs to share with us through this Lenten season is not based on our performance. True love isn’t measured by appearances. True love isn’t concerned with recognition or self-promotion. It quietly seeks the good of the beloved, aligning every aspect of life to nurture that relationship.
This Lent we are invited to love God as two lovers who cannot take their eyes off one another—with singular focus, free from distraction. May every sacrifice, every act of charity, and every hidden offering be made in love for the One who first loved us.
St. Paul reminds us: "Now is a very acceptable time." Let this Lent be the moment we return to the Lord with our whole heart. May we resist being consumed by the activities and noise of the season or distracted by the opinions of others. Instead, let us remain aware of the quiet presence of the One "who sees in secret." He knows the depths of who we are and who we long to become. With open hearts, let us return to Him, and He will restore to us the "joy of salvation."
Allie Moroney is a Catholic writer, speaker, and host of The Life of a Priest podcast and various other content featured on the Tabella app. Living in Spain with her husband, Allie shares her journey of faith and the beauty of Catholicism through storytelling that awakens souls to the reality and availability of grace. Through her blog, she highlights ordinary and extraordinary stories profoundly marked by grace, inspiring others to embrace God’s love in their daily lives. Follow her on Instagram and explore her website to join her mission of living intentionally and joyfully in the love of Christ.