Persevering in Lent: Faithfulness in Uncertain Days

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When Life Feels Uncertain

There are seasons in a mother’s life when everything feels uncertain. Plans shift, news comes that we did not expect, and the future feels unclear. Yet at the same time, the dishes remain, the lessons must be taught, meals must be made, and prayers must still be said. Lent often meets us right here—in the middle of ordinary duties, carried out with a quiet heart that may feel tired or even numb. And yet, this is precisely where God is at work.

On this feast of the Annunciation, the Church invites us to consider a moment that appeared very small. A young woman, in a quiet home, receives a message from an angel. There is no crowd, no celebration, no visible glory. And yet, in that moment, the greatest event in human history takes place. As the Gospel tells us, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin named Mary, and after hearing the message, she responds simply, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). At that moment, the Word became flesh. Everything changed, and yet nothing outwardly seemed to change. Mary still lived in her home, carried out her daily duties, and walked forward into a future full of uncertainty.

Learning to Say Yes Like Mary

Many mothers live in this same place. We receive news that unsettles us, we face changes we cannot control, and we carry concerns for our husbands and children. We may feel steady one moment and overwhelmed the next. Sometimes we feel nothing at all. Yet the Catechism reminds us that faith is not based on feelings. It teaches that faith is a personal adherence to God and a free response to His revelation. In other words, faith is shown most clearly not when we feel strong, but when we continue to say “yes” to God, just as Mary did.

Mary did not understand everything. Her first response to the angel was a question: “How can this be?” Yet she did not refuse or withdraw. Instead, she entrusted herself to God. St. Augustine teaches that Mary first conceived Christ in her heart by faith before she conceived Him in her womb. Her interior “yes” came before the visible miracle. This is important for us, because our daily “yes” to God—our quiet obedience, our perseverance, our faithfulness—may seem small, but they are not small. God works through these hidden acts.

The Quiet Work of Lent

Lent is not always dramatic. Most often, it is quiet. It is getting up when we are tired, continuing our prayers when we feel distracted, and doing our duties when our hearts are heavy. St. Thomas Aquinas writes in the Summa Theologica that perseverance is the virtue by which a person continues in good despite difficulty. It is not the one who begins well, but the one who endures to the end, who is crowned. This reflects the words of Christ, who teaches that the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. For mothers, this perseverance is lived in simple ways. It is found in folding laundry with love, correcting a child patiently, preparing meals, answering questions, and continuing lessons. These acts may seem repetitive, but they are acts of love, and love offered to God becomes holy.

There are times when we do not feel devotion. We may feel tired, distracted, or even numb. Yet if we continue to pray, something very important is happening. We are choosing God. The Catechism teaches that prayer is a covenant relationship between God and man, even when we struggle to remain attentive. Distractions and dryness do not mean failure. Instead, they are part of the purification of our love. In these moments, prayer becomes more pure, because we are no longer seeking comfort, but seeking God Himself. This is a deeper form of love.

Looking Forward to Easter

Lent always looks forward to Easter, but Easter does not come without the Cross. Mary’s “yes” at the Annunciation eventually led her to Calvary. The hidden moment of grace led to a visible moment of suffering. And yet, beyond the Cross, there was Resurrection. This is the pattern of the Christian life. As St. Paul reminds us, all things work for good for those who love God. Even uncertainty, even suffering, even the long, quiet days of Lent—God is working.

The Hidden Vocation of Motherhood

A mother’s life is often hidden. Much of her work is unseen, and much of her sacrifice is unnoticed. Yet this hidden life is powerful. It forms souls, builds families, and serves God in a direct and intimate way. In many ways, a mother’s life resembles that of the Blessed Virgin Mary—quiet, faithful, and hidden, yet filled with grace.

If you feel uncertain, continue. If you feel tired, continue. If you feel nothing at all, continue. Say your prayers, do your duties, and offer your day to God. You may not see what God is doing, but He is working. Just as He worked in the hidden moment of the Annunciation, just as He worked in the silent years of Nazareth, and just as He worked through the Cross to bring about the Resurrection.

Consider Mary in her home after the angel departed. Nothing appeared different, and yet everything had changed. In the same way, your quiet fidelity today may appear small, but in God’s hands, it is part of something eternal.

Prayer for Perseverance

O Lord, You who came quietly into the world through the “yes” of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant me the grace to persevere in my daily duties. When I feel uncertain, strengthen my faith. When I feel tired, give me endurance. When I feel nothing, help me to remain faithful. Teach me to trust that You are at work, even in the hidden moments of my life. May I follow the example of Mary and say each day, “Be it done unto me according to Your word.” Amen.

Reflection Questions

  1. Where in my daily life is God asking me to persevere quietly?
  2. How can I imitate Mary’s “yes” in moments of uncertainty?
  3. What small duties can I consciously offer to God today?

Notes & Sources

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