#holy lent

In prayer, steadfast through fasting ... in the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ... demons will be conquered

I volunteered to work on my first political campaign when I was still in school.

This was before the Internet. Before campaigns spent tons on television time and social media. Which meant that direct contact was a big part of the campaign.

We went door to door. To talk about our candidate with likely voters.

Before we did, they had a training session for all the volunteers.

They told us what to say about the hot-button issues. How to respond to the hard questions.

There were also specific things they wanted us to ask. Positions they wanted us to get feedback on.

They gave us campaign buttons to wear. Told us how to dress. How to act. To make sure that we were on our best manners. And then they explained why.

“You could be what they’re thinking about when they vote. Because you may be the only image of our candidate that someone ever sees.”

If you come forward to receive ashes, you need that to know that people will look at you differently today.

People will see the sign on your forehead. And they will judge you.

They know what that sign means. You have declared your party. The only one that matters in the end.

Now it’s time to live up to it.

What should you give up for Lent?

Anything that is unworthy of the One who loves you enough to pay your debt in full.

Anything that’s unworthy of the One whose sign you have on your forehead.

What should you do for Lent?

Start by living up to that sign. Because you may be the only image of Our Lord that someone ever sees.

Live a life that is worthy of the sign you are wearing.

Today. And always.

Today is the joyful forefeast of the time of abstinence, the bright threshold of the Fast. Therefore, brethren, together let us run the race with confident hope and with great eagerness.

This Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Lent.

It’s called Laetare Sunday (Latin for “random color”). So the priest and the deacon will be wearing rose vestments.

But everything else in Church will still be purple.  Why? 

To lighten Lent, just a little.

To remind us that while it’s still Lent, the things we do for Lent aren’t an end to themselves. To help us remember why we’re doing them in the first place. 

And to let us know that if what we tried to do for Lent didn’t work out, it’s okay to take a do-over.

Or if we haven’t even tried to have a Holy Lent, it’s okay to start now.

In a way, every Sunday is Laetare Sunday.

Because with God, it’s always the right time for a do-over.

More on this tomorrow.

Lent is vastly approaching us; this year it begins on St. Valentine’s Day. I know most of you my beloved readers look forward to the daily devotional and homily I post during the journey. Are y’all looking forward to it this year? What do you want to see it included.

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

 “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Jn 8:51-59)

  “Children. How they seek to behave worthily in the presence of their fathers! And the children of kings, in the presence of their father, the king, how they seek to uphold the royal dignity! And you… Don’t you realize that you…

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

“Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Lk 8:15)

“Jesus suffers to carry out the will of the Father. And you, who also want to carry out the most holy will of God, following the steps of the Master, can you complain if you meet…

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.” (Jn 8:21-30)

“Don’t you sense that more peace and more union await you when you have corresponded to that extraordinary grace that requires complete detachment? Struggle for him to please him, but strengthen…