Lent approaches; talking about giving

We are officially ten days out from Lent. Can you believe it? In these corona-times, I really do feel like time is just kind of a flowing river, one day directly into the next.

On Tuesday this week I got to speak with John and Glen of Morning Air about giving. They are in the middle of their pledge drive (donate here), so we talked about the idea of stewardship, and more importantly, why we are called to give: because Jesus gave the ultimate gift, of his life. And, everything we have - everything! - is a gift from God. So turn it over, baby. You can listen to the interview here.

On the Lent front, I appreciated this article from a fellow Catholic Stand author, “A Gentle Approach for Troubled Times.” Troubled times, indeed. I am reminded that during Lent, we don’t actually have to “give something up.” I grew up thinking that was the only way with Lent, but in reality, it is just as healthy to add something. For example, a prayer practice or act of service.

Regardless, Lent is not a marathon nor a sprint; it is not a test of physical stamina whatsoever. It is not a sporting event. It is an opportunity to simplify and remove the noise that distracts us from fully having a relationship with God, as well as a time to meditate on the suffering Christ endured for us. Resist the temptation to turn it into a personal test of your will or even feel like you have “failed” at Lent. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

New article & radio spots

Well, happy new year, folks! We endured a lot of change in 2020 and it is clear 2021 - and, I guess, beyond - will be no different.

In any case, I will continue to remember, as so many people have said - God is always in control, and all that happens is part of his plan. This sounds trite and kind of hard to swallow, I know. Cold comfort for people at risk of losing their job, becoming homeless, losing loved ones to illness, seeing children suffer from lack of social interaction, worried about the direction of the country, and on and on.

I will add to that, a reminder to remember that God “knows what he is about,” as St. John Henry Newman said, and also that he is unendingly capable of bringing good from bad. And, these things often happen on his timeline - not ours. Someone reminded me recently that many of the Old Testament prophets prophesied things that occurred hundreds - or maybe thousands? - of years later. So in other words, in the spiritual life, perhaps instant gratification is just simply not a thing. We’ve got to wait, hold fast, and keep praying, because all prayers matter in the end. I truly believe there are no wasted, unheard prayers.

In any case, I have several things to share with you: one, my latest article at Catholic Stand: 2021: The Year of St. Joseph. If you do not have a devotion to St. Joseph, I highly recommend and encourage it!

Recent appearances on the radio:

Dec. 23 discussing details of the Christmas season, which, if you do not know, did not end until January 10! Listen here and my portion starts right at the beginning.

January 5 discussing new year’s resolutions and how to keep them (mostly). Mostly I wanted to talk about setting spiritual resolutions. Listen here and it begins at about minute 24.

January 20 discussing the year of St. Joseph, and some thoughts on inauguration and keeping faith and hope alive. I feel like I am unofficially becoming Morning Air’s DC correspondent (I’m not). Listen here and my portion starts at the beginning (or if you really wanted to be fussy, you could start at 1:15).

So anyway - do not despair. Keep doing the next right thing, which includes praying. Make St. Joseph the patron of your year. Have joy in your heart. Continue to stand for what you believe in. Leave the rest in Christ’s hands.

Prayer for Inauguration Day

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The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia sent the above. I have thought many times over the course of the pandemic that I think the world continues to turn due to the hidden prayers of women living in religious communities.

I have several updates for you, including a new article and the audio of three of my most recent radio interviews, and will share that in the next post.

For now, let’s pray about the next four years, and for our nation, and for God’s mercy, always.