Ash Wednesday 2023

Happy Ash Wednesday! I realized today that it is a full ten years, going back to Ash Wednesday 2013, that I began my journey back into Catholicism, and to this moment as I write these words, here on a Catholic blog. I thank God for the gift of fidelity, and curiosity, and all the avenues He has opened up for me to learn and be with others as I get to know Him. I simply do not know what my life would look like, otherwise.

I attended a Stations of the Cross service this afternoon. There is something timeless about that tradition, where even if the words and reflections are slightly different from version to version, the eternal aspect is the same. These are real things that happened, these are the real last moments of Jesus’s life, which are engraved in time.

Yesterday, I spoke with John Morales and the Morning Air team about preparing one’s heart for Lent. It was a great conversation with a few ideas of things you can add, or give up, this season. Usually when I think of giving things up, yes I acknowledge we can do wine and chocolate and those basic things, but imagine if you gave up something that impacted, say, your ego. Or your own development of virtue. Like giving up gossip, or giving up having multiple browser tabs open! Focus.

You can listen to that conversation here.

I will leave you with something that was a part of my Lent a few years ago. It is a bit of scripture which, although I have never seen it on an Ash Wednesday, and maybe not even during Lent, it reads to me about the spirit of Lent - and specifically, of how we should approach God now, and always.

Sirach 35:1-13:

To keep the law is to make many offerings;

whoever observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.

By works of charity one offers fine flour,

and one who gives alms presents a sacrifice of praise.

To refrain from evil pleases the Lord,

and to avoid injustice is atonement.

Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,

for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.

The offering of the just enriches the altar:

a sweet odor before the Most High.

The sacrifice of the just is accepted,

never to be forgotten.

With a generous spirit pay homage to the Lord,

and do not spare your freewill gifts.

With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,

and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.

Give to the Most High as he has given to you,

generously, according to your means.

For he is a God who always repays

and will give back to you sevenfold.

What a concept! Give, give generously, give generously and cheerfully - for that is how God gives to you. Meditation on God’s generosity in your life - now there’s a Lenten theme for you.

Be well! And may you have a fruitful Lent.

Lent 2023: time to get out of your own way!

Friends, we are mere hours away from the start of Lent, and I am joining John Morales and the Morning Air crew tomorrow morning to discuss my latest article, Prepare Your Heart for Lent, at 7:10 am eastern. Listen on your local station or open up a browser here.

What I hope to leave listeners with: Lent really is an invitation, not a challenge of personal growth, or even something to be feared or dreaded.

I read an interview with Fr. Mike Schmitz where he advises you choose a penance (if you even want to call it that) that matches YOU - not just a random hard thing to do. He says:

I am a big fan of choosing penances of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that are less arbitrary and more intrinsic to each person's life. What I mean by this is: We often choose a penance based on how “difficult” it seems or on the kind of challenge that it might pose to us.

If a penance seems like it is serious enough (but maybe not too serious), then we might choose it. But often, our penances are not necessarily connected to what we absolutely need. When considering prayer, we can ask: “In what way do I need to grow closer to the Lord?” When considering fasting, we can ask: “What do I need to get rid of in order to be more free to love and serve the Lord?” And when considering almsgiving, we can ask: “Where do I believe that I am called to give or serve?”

This is good advice! And, not only that, you may not even need to “give up” something - you may need to maintain or even add something. That keeps us from becoming vain over weight loss or competitive goals.

So, what are you giving up for Lent? Or, what are you adding? Listen in tomorrow morning for some inspiration, and may you have a truly blessed, fruitful, and introspective Lenten season. Remember - Easter is on the other side!

From a reader: Logging off Lent

Hello everyone,

I was sent an excellent resource from a reader who’s developed a way to help you decrease (really, eliminate) your social media use during Lent. Check out Logging off for Lent. He writes":

“I wanted to share a small project I built: Logging off for Lent (lentlogoff.com). I wanted to provide a small nudge of encouragement to any Christian who wants to give up scrolling on social media for Lent and focus on spiritual disciplines like prayer & fasting during the 40 day interval. To anyone who signs up, I'll be sending out encouraging notes/verses.”

Dare I say getting rid of social media, at any time of year, is the best thing you can do for both your mental health and your relationship with God. Good stuff. Thank you, Mitch!

And while we’re on the topic, if you haven’t read it yet, my latest article is up at Catholic Stand: Prepare Your Heart for Lent. Set your calendar for Tuesday, February 21 at 7:10 am eastern, where I will discuss how to prepare for Lent - which will start the next day, February 22! - on Relevant Radio’s Morning Air program. Find your radio station or listen online here.

Have an excellent Sunday.