As a child, I learned about the Stations of the Cross, the practice of meditating on Jesus’s path to crucifixion on Calvary, and the prayer we recited was “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” Each Lent, I still remember that prayer and think of Christ’s painfully generous sacrifice as inspiration to show more kindness and compassion. A few years ago, I began to consider Lent and the Spring season as a time to renew my commitment to do more to honor God by honoring all of His creation, and to be more mindful about how I can respond to the needs of those around me who are suffering. My daily prayer is for stronger trust in God’s goodness even during my own difficult times, so that I can more effectively reflect His light in this world.

-Adelle Simmons