Remember those New Year’s resolutions you made? Ya, me neither. Most people don’t make it past January. But today is different. Today is the beginning of Lent. All those things you’ve been thinking about giving up? Well, today is the day. “Now is a very acceptable time,” St. Paul tells us. But don’t just give stuff up for Lent; you need to add some stuff too.
The best way to change our lives is to change our habits. And you change habits not just by eliminating something, but by substituting something. Fine, give stuff up for Lent. But what are you going to replace it with? Give up TV and replace it with a family rosary. Give up Facebook and replace it with reading, podcasts, and learning. Be creative… and daring.
Ash Wednesday is an even better day than New Year’s to make a new start. You’ve got a billion Catholics joining you… and a lot of non-Catholics seem to like Lent too. As we put ashes on heads and are reminded that “you are dust and to dust you shall return,” let’s ask us ourselves if we’re really living like we’re all about to disappear into dust. What stupid worldly stuff are we clinging to thinking it will bring us lasting happiness? Most of life is dust; God is everlasting. What do you need to change to get closer to Him this Lent? Do that. And don’t wait. Now is the time.