A few days into Lent, how are we really following Jesus? In today’s Gospel, Jesus walks past Matthew, a tax collector, and simply says, “Follow me.” No explanation, no negotiation — just an invitation. And Matthew gets up and leaves everything behind. This homily invites us to reflect on our own response: have we truly chosen to follow the Lord, or are we just going through the motions? Lent gives us the grace to begin again — to move from routine to relationship, from obligation to discipleship. The Lord is still calling. It’s not too late to follow Him.

A few days into Lent, maybe the ashes are still faintly visible, and the Church already invites us to go deeper. In this homily, we’re reminded that fasting isn’t just about giving something up or proving our discipline — it’s about real conversion of heart. Through the challenging words of the prophet Isaiah and the powerful example of Jacinta Marto and Francisco Marto, we see that sacrifice only has meaning when it flows from love — love for God, love for sinners, love for those who suffer. When Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom, He reveals that our fasting is preparation for something beautiful: the Wedding Feast of heaven. We’re not depriving ourselves for nothing; we’re making room for Him. Lent isn’t about “Catholic dieting” — it’s about preparing our hearts for the joy we were created for.

On this second day of Lent, we’re reminded that following Jesus is a daily choice. In the first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, God places before us life or death, blessing or curse—and in the Gospel, Jesus says, “Pick up your cross every day and follow me.” For those who first heard it, the cross meant suffering and humiliation, yet Jesus transforms it into the very path to life. Over time, the Church has come to understand that carrying our cross can mean martyrdom, sacrifice, patient endurance, or simply staying faithful in everyday struggles. This Lent, we’re invited to trust that whatever cross we carry—big or small—can be united to Christ and become the road to blessing and deeper life with Him.