Friday
Lent began on Wednesday, and even though I'm far away from the Mardi Gras/Ash Wednesday split of my childhood, I felt the whole of it this week. On Wednesday evening I found myself sardine-packed in a church in Athens, GA waiting to receive my ashes and start this Lenten season off right.
I don't know that I'm doing such a great job. But I'm trying.
It's hard to know what to do during Lent. I always have a million things I want to do, and they all come down to one thing--be a better Catholic and be a better me. It's very hard to navigate today's world, to be a part of the world and yet remained detached enough from it to be true to the faith. I never know when, for example, to speak out on issues of national importance.
This Lenten season, I resolve to use my voice a wee bit more and to speak and to respond to the events surrounding me in a manner that is appropriate, consistent, and honest. And that I will do this compassionately.
God's peace be with you all today.