Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, 40 days spent in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. Lent gives us the opportunity to serve others through almsgiving, practice self-control through fasting, and abstain from luxuries to help lead us to inner conversion of our hearts to Christ. People often give up something for the 40 days of Lent to make more room for Christ in their lives. As we enter this season of Lent, one way we can serve others is not being quick to judge them. In a time of unprecedented societal polarization, we can listen to the words of St. Vincent de Paul and heed his guidance.  

“Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances.” 

In a time when we are quick to prove to others how they are wrong and why we are right, let us instead give each other grace and understanding. Give each other the gift of listening. Truly hearing what others have to say is the only way we can judge them in the most favorable way. We need to have humility, put our ego aside, and pay attention to the person in front of us, who is wonderfully made in the image of God.  

This Lent, let us make a practice of listening to others deeply, to care for others deeply, so that we can “see persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances.”