Lent is upon us. Ash Wednesday is next week, and more than a few of us have given some thought to how we’re going to celebrate this holy season. A lot of us will take an easy way out and just renew the Lenten penance that we did last year...and the year before...and the year before that. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that approach to living Lent and the rest of our lives; but I certainly intend to take it seriously.

we ought to make sure that we “stop our cars, park them, and walk across the street to take a look” at something or someone we’ve taken for granted, ignored or overlooked.

Perhaps, this Lent could bring with it an experience of Church which is different from the level of presence and participation to which we’ve become accustomed.

We know what life in our parishes is like; but just might need to get involved in some other form of service in our parishes and communities.

Our area is home to all sorts of wonderful causes and worthwhile efforts; and whatever interests us would welcome some personal participation on our part. Some quiet and prayerful time at an area monastery or retreat house may be just what some of us need in our otherwise busy lives.

Our Lent ought to be a chance to get to know something more about something or someone.

We take them for granted; and often come to the end of Lent no better than we were at the beginning. A different discipline might be just what we need to actually hear and respond to the call to conversion which Lent brings.

Somehow, I think that the God who “knows us by name” must rejoice when we learn each other’s names.

Somehow, I think that the God who took our human flesh as an act of
love, salvation and service has to smile when our “human flesh” loves, saves and serves.

However each of us begins and lives this Lent, my hope and prayer is that all of us will end it more attentive to and passionate about our God...our lives...the people with whom we share our lives and the circumstances and surroundings in which we live them.