Five Minutes in the Garden - A Daily Discussion of God's Word

As we draw closer to the end of this Lenten journey, something begins to change.

The focus is no longer only on what we do… or even what we choose… but on what we feel.

Because there’s a kind of repentance that goes deeper than discipline.

Deeper than effort.

It reaches the heart.

And today, we encounter a moment

where repentance becomes something visible— not through strength… but through tears.

Over the past few days, we’ve been called inward—
to open our hearts…
to remain watchful…

And now, Christ brings us to a moment of decision.

Because it’s one thing to feel inspired.
It’s another thing to commit.

As we approach the final stretch of Lent,
Jesus does not soften His words.

He clarifies them.

He invites us to consider what it truly means to follow Him.

As we move closer to the final days of Great Lent,
the tone begins to shift.

The invitation is still there.
The mercy is still there.

But now, there’s also a sense of urgency.

Not fear. But awareness.

Because it’s possible to begin well…
and slowly drift.

To grow attentive…
and then become distracted again.

And today, Christ gives us a simple command:

Stay awake.

As we draw closer to the end of Great Lent,
the Church begins to speak more directly to the heart.

Not asking us to do more.
Not asking us to prove anything.

But inviting us to go deeper.

Because it’s possible to walk through Lent…
to fast… to pray… to adjust our habits…

and still keep part of ourselves closed.

And today, we hear a different kind of call.

Not outward. But inward.

As we come to the end of this stretch of our Lenten journey,
we begin to see what all of this has been forming within us.

Not just discipline.
Not just awareness.

But faithfulness.

Because after all the teaching…
after all the growing…

a question remains:

What does God actually desire from our lives?

And today, Christ gives us a glimpse of the answer.

Over the past few days, we’ve been moving deeper into the heart of thespiritual life.

We’ve learned to remain present. To receive peace. To abide in Christ.

And now, Jesus turns our attention outward.

Because what’s happening within us will eventually become visible.

Not all at once. Not perfectly.

But over time.

And today, Christ gives us a simple way to understand that process.

As we continue this Lenten journey, we begin to see apattern.

When we remain present, we find peace.

And when we find peace, we begin to ask a deeper question:

How do we stay here?

How do we remain grounded…

steady…

connected?

Because it’s one thing to experience a moment of closenesswith God.

It’s another to live from it.

And today, Christ gives us the answer.

After learning to remain in the present moment, something begins to change within us.

Not around us.

Not in our circumstances.

But within.

Because when we stop living in tomorrow, and begin to stay with God today, we begin to experience something deeper.

Not control. Not certainty.

But peace.

And today, Christ speaks directly to that.

As Great Lent continues, we begin to notice not only what we do… but where our minds tend to live.

So often, we are not here.

We are in tomorrow— anticipating, planning, replaying, worrying, preparing.

And in doing so, we quietly step out of the present moment.

But today, Christ gently calls us back.

As we move deeper into Lent, we begin to look ahead.

Toward resurrection.

Toward recognition.

Toward the moment when Christ is revealed.