Category: Lent

#WorthRevisiting: Less of Me

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I’m linking up at Alison Gingras’ Reconciled to You blog, where she’s hosting #WorthRevisiting.

When I saw that the theme for this week was “Less of Me” I knew which post I had to revisit. I reached back 9 years into the archives for this one.

This used to be part of the homemade hymnal at Our Lady of the Flower Children*:

Less of Me

Let me be a little kinder, let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me; let me praise a little more
Let me be when I am weary just a little bit more cheery
Think a little more of others and little less of me

Let me be a little braver when temptations let me waver
Let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be
Let me be a little meeker with a brother that is weaker
Let me think more of my neighbors and a little less of me

Let me be when I am weary just a little bit more cheery
Let me serve a little better those that I am striving for
Let me be a little meeker to a brother that is weaker
Think a little more of others and a little less of me.

I’m not sure of the composer but I think it might be Glen Campbell.

Regardless of who wrote it, it’s a good reminder of what we all can do for Lent. I can’t help but think that the memory of this song was a gift–a reminder from the Lord of what I can and should be doing.

Turns out it is Glen Cambell’s song! I found a video of him performing it with Judy Collins and Hamilton Camp. So here you go–a blast from the past. I think this song makes a wonderful prayer.

Today’s Ponder Point:

Music can touch the heart and soul in a powerful way. What hymn or song has touched your heart and soul this Lent? What lesson does that song teach you?

*The real name of the church was not “Our Lady of the Flower Children.” But it was the late 60s and early 70s, and we went to the Children’s Mass where we sat on folding chairs in the church basement, and, well, you know the rest. The music made a huge impression on me and, I believe, is a very real part of the reason I’m a musician at church today.

Go on over to Reconciled to You and see the other blogs in the linkup!

Desperately Seeking Loopholes

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Not me. It’s TheKid.

After lamenting the fact that today’s snow day had fallen on Mardi Gras, thus depriving him and his classmates of donuts in “at least 3 classes,” he gleefully informed us that since he’s diabetic, he can have all the meat he wants, any time he wants.

NOT.

“You don’t have to fast because you’re diabetic, but there’s nothing in diabetes that prevents you from abstaining from meat for a day,” we told him.

BACON“Yes, there is,” he shot back. “BACON!”

I miss the good old days, when he voluntarily gave up sprinkles for Lent. Sacrifice is a much harder sell for a 12-year-old, especially one who already uses every ounce of self-discipline he has and measures his snacks instead of just blindly sticking his hand into the pretzel bag like all his friends get to do.

But there will be no bacon tomorrow, Kid.

Lenten Meal Planning Special

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Lenten Meals 2015

Over at Cook and Count, I’ve gathered up all our favorite Meatless Friday recipes. Check it out!

Book Review: 40 Days, 40 Ways by Marcellino D’Ambrosio

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40 days 40 ways for featured image40 Days, 40 Ways: A New Look at Lent is not your typical Lenten devotional book. This chapter-a-day volume features a daily penitential or devotional practice. But that’s just the beginning of what Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio offers the reader each day. The meat of each chapter is a reflection or meditation that helps Catholics understand how to live the faith in concrete ways. Practices such as the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration and the Sign of the Cross are explained simply but thoroughly, giving the reader new appreciation and understanding. While that’s not the express purpose of the book, the sections on “why we do what we do” were among those I found the most fascinating.

Dr. D’Ambrosio’s book offers a combination of reflections on Scripture, examples from history, stories of his own experiences and plenty of concrete ideas for keeping Lent well. He shares his broad knowledge of history, Scripture and the Church in a manner that is encouraging, not intimidating; I found it engaging, fascinating and motivational.

Don’t let the day-by-day format of Dr. D’Ambrosio’s book discourage you. This book can be read day by day, but it’s just as useful to people like me who tend to fail at committing to daily devotional books. The beauty of this book is that it can be picked up at any point in Lent, and opened to just about any page, because each short chapter stands on its own.

The daily reflections challenge the reader to live out the faith through acts of charity, penance and prayer. More than a challenge, though, these reflections offer encouragement and hope. Dr. D’Ambrosio shows that penance does not have to involve feeling down on yourself; the actions suggested in this book will lift your spirits and transform your soul.

Learn more about Dr. D’Amrbosio at his website, The Crossroads Initative.

The fine print: I was provided with a preview copy of this book for the purposes of this review. I received no other compensation for the review, and the opinions expressed here are my own.

For My Penance, I Will Slow Down

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I live a life fueled by adrenalin with a side of anxiety.

In short, I don’t do “slow.”

Just ask my poor husband, who strolls, ambles, and meanders along–10 feet behind the rest of the family because apparently all the kids inherited my inability to decelerate.

I’m always looking for a way to get something done–or to get somewhere–a little faster. I don’t take the highway to Little Brother’s school because that adds half a mile and about 7 traffic lights to the trip. I can get there more quickly if I drive through the neighborhoods.

Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw once tweeted:

muffet mcgraw tweet

That’s pretty much how I roll too. And yesterday on my way to Mass at Little Brother’s school (so I could be there for his test-and-dose diabetic routine after Mass) I was driving pretty urgently.

As in 41 mph in a 25 zone.

By the time I saw the police SUV, it was too late. He saw me first and followed me to the school parking lot where I foolishly parked in my usual spot–in full view of half the classrooms.

Did I mention that the police officer had his lights on?

I was polite. He took my license, registration and insurance card and went off to check SCMODS* to verify that I’d never had a speeding ticket in over 30 years of driving.

The officer, mercifully, did not give me a ticket–just a warning that I need to slow down.

Honestly, the embarrassment of being pulled over right in front of the school cost me more than any speeding ticket would have.

So what was I saying Thursday about the hours in the day?

…this Lent is going to be all about letting go of–giving up–the control I want to have over the hours in my day. Resistance is futile, but acceptance is going to be hard-won…

I feel like I go through the day always putting out fires. I only get to what’s urgent, and it’s a struggle not to assign everything to the “urgent” category. Writing these words, I can feel myself clenching up inside.

I’m on a “mission from God.” So is the police officer who handed me some grace in the form of a warning.

*”State. County. Municipal. Offender. Data. System.” If you do not recognize this quote, you need to watch The Blues Brothers. Stat.

Lent Prep: Planning for an Hour of Power

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I’ve been kicking around a few ideas for what to do for Lent this year. Then, this morning, Margaret Rose Realy passed along this link to Elizabeth Scalia’s Lenten reading list.

Oh, to have the time to read that many books…but I digress. I recognized a few of the books pictured there, and (to my shame) realized that I’d purchased some–and never read them.

It didn’t take me long to gather up a pile of 9 spiritual books or devotionals that I haven’t read, and that’s not even including the ones on my Kindle–that’s my NEXT project. I took that pile of books and placed it on the table between my desk and the love seat. It’s a little table, just big enough for the phone, a candle, a box of tissues, my Bible and Liturgy of the Hours, a coaster for my coffee, and a pile of books.Lenten reading challenge

Do you recognize any of the titles in this pile?

In no particular order, I’ve got:

Imitating Mary by Marge Fenelon

The Joy of Knowing Christ by Pope Benedict XVI

The Catholic Briefcase by Randy Hain

Wrapped Up by Teresa Tomeo and Cheryl Dickow

Essential Writings by Caryll Houselander

Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales

Happy Catholic by Julie Davis

One Size Fits All by Michele Howe

A Season of Mystery by Paula Huston

mery in the cityPlus, I recently ordered Kerry Weber’s new book, Mercy in the City, which should arrive Monday, so that rounds out my pile to an even 10 books.

When it comes to spiritual reading, I tend to be a grazer, so I’m happy to have an abundance of choices. I might not finish these, but I’m going to work on this stack of books for sure during this season.

But I want to do more than read this Lent. So I’m going to fit in an Hour of Power each day. It doesn’t have to be a whole hour all at once, but I have 4 things I want to make happen daily during Lent, for 15 minutes (at least) each:

  • Spiritual reading
  • Journaling
  • Work on my book
  • Declutter my home (Home Storage Solutions has a nifty 15-minute-per-day challenge)

What would you do for your daily Hour of Power?

Looking for a Few Good Recipes

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You probably already know that I am a recipe addict. There are over 100 cookbooks in my house, which, for the record, is not “too many” by any stretch of the imagination.

WFDI share all kinds of recipes over at Mom’s Fridge, and I’m privileged to share meatless-meal ideas at CatholicMom.com as well. In fact, there is now a core team of four recipe bloggers who make sure there’s a meatless recipe every single Friday, and many other CatholicMom.com contributors will be sharing recipes in the coming weeks as well.

MF logoI am so thrilled that CatholicMom.com has run with the ball on this!

This past Friday, we did something a little different. We’re hosting a Meatless-Friday recipe link party at CatholicMom.com. It lasts the entire week, so that gives you plenty of time to find and share your family favorites. And with just over a month to go until Lent, it also gives you plenty of time to browse these shared recipes and introduce some new ones into your Lenten meal plan.

(And remember, Meatless Friday isn’t just for Lent. Read all about it!)

 

The First Temptation

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Our associate pastor has a page in the bulletin each week. Lately he has been using this page to offer a reflection on the Sunday Gospel. It’s always worth a read, but I was particularly intrigued by Father H’s comments on the three temptations that Christ faced when he encountered Satan in the desert.

The first temptation. The tempter says: If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread. Jesus answers: One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Jesus’ hunger is the occasion for the first temptation. That word ‘bread’ refers to everything that is essential to live. It refers to that astounding array of possessions that feed, clothe, shelter, sustain, transport, and amuse us. But these very things can distract us from giving God His due. Jesus says that the full meaning of life cannot be reduced to what is visible, edible, tangible, or collectible. The core of being human lies elsewhere: in every Word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus says that God’s desires for humanity and not those of the tempter, will define His life and mission. We may ask: who are those who live by bread alone? We may also wonder if the story of how we may have lost touch with our sacred traditions, the great yet-to-be-told story of our Church? Lent may be a good time to recover the meaning of these sacred traditions.

What an excellent question to ask during Lent. Do I live by bread alone? For that matter, do I nourish my family by bread alone? Sure, I provide for physical needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. And then there’s all the “stuff.” But really, all that is bread alone. Have I nourished my family in other ways–not just the physical ways? Have I nourished myself and my family in spiritual ways?

Foiled Again

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It’s a good thing we only live a mile or so from Middle Sister’s high school, because I use quite a bit of time (and gas) going back and forth.

On a typical day, she catches the bus in the morning, but misses the afternoon bus because of track practice. Sometime between 4:30 and 5:15 (depending on the length of the day’s workout, which varies) she calls for a ride home. Then I have to have her (and sometimes Little Brother) back there at 6:30 for play practice. If he’s done earlier than she is, I have to pick them up separately. That’s three or four runs to the school on a daily basis.

And then you have her tendency to miss the school bus. Sometimes it’s her fault, sometimes it isn’t. While you could set a clock by the bus driver Big Brother had in high school, who retired earlier this year, this new driver is not so punctual. He and Middle Sister seem to be on opposite schedules. On the days when she’s running a bit late, he’s at the corner by 7:35. Today she was out there with time to spare–and I wound up picking her up at the corner at 7:47. The bus was nowhere in sight. That’s almost a 15-minute window, which is a long time to stand on the corner when the weather’s not fantastic.

Sure, I could make her walk to school if she misses the bus. But I don’t do that in bad weather (it’s threatening to pour rain any second now) and I won’t do that if she misses the bus through no fault of her own. Today was not her fault.

So, today, I drove her to school for the third time this week. (Two of those were her fault.)

I joked yesterday that she had given up missing the bus for Lent. Apparently, though, the bus driver had other ideas.

Scrupulous Much?

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This morning as I fixed Little Brother’s hair, I sprayed some water on his head and said, “It’s raining!” Then I began singing the refrain from “It’s Raining Men.”

“Mom, it’s Lent! You’re not supposed to say that word!” he scolded me.

Guess that means George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” is also out for the next 5 days. At least when Little Brother is around.