Lent

I racked my brain for how I could get closer to God during Lent. I thought about eating all my meals left-handed. I could give up coffee again. I decided on giving up Facebook. Then I read Michael Rossman's decision to give up ESPN.  As soon as I read it I knew I would join him.

I joined him because this devotion would be difficult--it rivals my giving up soda as a middle schooler. But I mainly joined him because I wanted to journey with him this holy season. My friend Paddy gave him 7:2 odds of surviving. I think with my support those odds drop significantly.

But Lent is not about achieving your goal. It is about entering more deeply into the Paschal Mystery. And what better way to get closer to the Lord than to pray for someone you love every day, to think about how that person needs you to be strong when you are tempted. I feel this Lent my goal is to enter ever more deeply into the Society of Jesus. I want to feel like Francis Xavier who used to keep the names of his Jesuit friends in a pouch by his heart as he traveled to the edges of the world. So this Lent I will think of Michael. I will pray for John as he gives up chocolate. I talk to my community members and think of their devotions.

What are the people you love giving up this Lent? Can you as a family, or a couple, do something together for Lent? How do you support the ones you care for in their devotions?