Jesus, I Give You My Airpods

Jesus, I Give You My Airpods

By Zoe Dongas

Jesus, I give you my airpods.

This Lent, I am fasting from using my headphones on my daily commute of about 90 minutes total. Sounds pretty basic, right? And yet, only a week into Lent, I am already sensing the effects.

As a gigging musician, I could make a strong case for needing airpods during that time, but I know that’s an excuse. I don’t actually want to use my headphones to listen to things; I want to use them to block things out. Screeching subway cars, my neighbor’s TikTok, the looming thoughts in my own head, the desperation of those without a home – my airpods had become a form of escape. Now, faced with full-volume reality and a deepened awareness of my self-centeredness, I am humbled.

“For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.”

During Lent, we are invited to allow ourselves to be humbled. Our Lenten sacrifices are only as effective as their ability to help us see ourselves as we truly are: people in need of a Savior. After all, as our Responsorial Psalm today reminds us, God is after contrite and humble hearts. He doesn’t desire impressive sacrifices. He desires our honest repentance.

So, Jesus, I give you my airpods. I give you my broken heart that tends towards isolation and escape. Please forgive the times I have ignored you present before me, especially in the poor. I beg for your Spirit to give me a new heart, one that tends towards communion and presence. Teach me to love like you this Lent, that my heart might be an acceptable offering to you, my most merciful God.

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