By Fr. Jeffrey Burwell, SJ

Lent calls us to reflect and return to what truly matters. It is a season of renewal, an invitation to step away from distractions so that God may transform us from within. Yet such conversion is rarely easy. We cling to what is familiar, resisting the deep work of change. During these forty days, we often focus on external marks of faith — what we give up and what we do — when the greater call is to surrender our hearts. Lent is about becoming more rather than doing more.

Without a doubt, justice begins in the heart. It is not about outward displays but how we respond to the world. True justice flows from inner transformation — when our attitudes change, actions naturally follow. It is more than speaking for the vulnerable; it is walking beside them. More than grand gestures, it requires deep and lasting commitment. Like faith, justice is not something we do; it is a way of being.

The struggles of our world — fractured communities, economic hardship, and ongoing political tensions — weigh heavily on us. We search for answers, yet Lent reminds us that change begins interiorly. We are called to examine our hearts and let go of what holds us back. This is not a simple task; it requires honesty and asks us to confront our fears. Nevertheless, we can do nothing of consequence unless transformed at our core.

I first glimpsed this truth as a teenager while volunteering at a soup kitchen in Saskatchewan. One evening, I met a man who had lost everything — his job, home, and family. Setting down the meal, I was embarrassed for him and averted my eyes. As he took his plate, he said quietly, “You can do more than feed me; you can see me.” His words stayed with me. Justice is not about offering solutions from a distance — it is about presence, about recognizing the dignity of each person.

The prophet Joel reminds us that returning to God is not about outward signs but a change of heart. This is the essence of Lent — not just fasting or sacrifice, but a deep turning inward that leads to authentic renewal. When we allow God to work in us, we move beyond superficial fixes and allow ourselves to be transformed. We stop striving to appear holy and instead cooperate with grace. This renewal is not a single moment but a daily surrender, a choice to trust that God is shaping us even in ways we cannot yet see.

This Lent, let us set aside the need for quick solutions and commit to the slow and steady work of renewal. Let us listen more deeply, love more fully, and act more justly. When we return to God with sincerity, our lives reflect that transformation. We become bearers of his mercy, committing to justice and reconciliation. This is the work of Lent: To surrender our hearts so completely that they beat in rhythm with God’s own.

Now is the time to begin.

Fr. Jeffrey Burwell, SJ, is the Provincial of the Jesuits of Canada.