It is so hard to believe that March is here! It’s even harder to believe that the Season of Lent has arrived. I can honestly say that the Lenten Season is by-far my favorite! Its the perfect time to truly reflect and to grow closer with Christ. It is a season of preparation to help us meet the Resurrected Christ, and better follow His words and works. Our Gospel readings these past few weekends have been tough. They are not meant to be comfy, cozy readings, because they are truly challenging. We see our Lord go into the desert to prepare Himself to begin what He was sent by the Heavenly Father to do. What happened during this time? He was forced to battle satan and the evil one’s temptations. Let us not forget Jesus’ human nature, and the trials He faced in order to live with us and show us how to make it through our trials and temptations. This weekend’s Gospel reading is our “blueprint” to stand strong during these attacks. The Season of Lent is the perfect time to sharpen these skills to better protect ourselves from the surroundings that try and keep us from the life God wants us to live. This Lent, let us journey together with our Lord to grow stronger in faith and more in love with our Heavenly Father!

Lent has many opportunities for us to grow closer to Christ. Our Catholic Faith is not a spectator sport and it calls us to move. Instead of just giving up chocolate this Lent, why not challenge yourself to do something different. Attend a retreat, make a reconciliation, read Scripture or a Catholic spiritual book, or find a daily reflection exercise to do. I am currently using a Daily Reflection booklet that Franciscan Media has put out that was inspired by Saint Maximilian Kolbe. March 1st, 2020’s thought from Saint Maximilian is: “Let us be peaceful, and not aspire to do more than Mary wants or faster than she wants. Let’s allow ourselves to be carried by her; she will think of everything; she will provide for all our spiritual and bodily needs. Let us offer her all our difficulties and discomforts, trusting that she will take better care of us than we can.”