“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,...to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” - Ephesians 3:17-19

Faith is often compared to a tree. We see the branches—the visible parts: our prayers, our actions, our service, our words. But what truly determines the strength of a tree is not what is seen above the ground, but what lies hidden beneath it: the roots. Roots do two essential things. They anchor the tree so it can stand firm when storms come. And they draw nourishment, feeding the tree with what it needs to live and grow.

We are the same. If our roots are shallow—if our faith is only occasional, emotional, or dependent on circumstances—then when the storms of life come, we are shaken easily. Anxiety, disappointment, failure, and suffering can uproot us. But when our roots go deep into Christ, we become steady.

Lent is a sacred season where God strengthens our roots. Through fasting, prayer, repentance, and silence, we are not merely “doing religious things.” We are going deeper. We are allowing our faith to be anchored in something stronger than our emotions—in the love of God Himself.

As Saint Ephrem the Syrian writes, “Plant your root in humility, and it will bear the fruit of life.” A deep root in humility and prayer becomes a source of strength. Storms will come—this is certain. But a tree deeply rooted does not fear the wind. This Lent, do not focus only on the branches of our faith. Go deeper. Strengthen the roots—and we will stand.