Similar to last Lent, one of my Lenten Goals is to write something each day. This post will track those snippets – be they verses, reflections, thoughts. If I have any “big” thoughts I may write a separate post.
For Lent and Life I have a lovely assortment of things I am doing and not doing — all trying to fix my orientation so that I am daily, constantly, consistently oriented toward God and where He wants me to be/what He wants me to be doing. I hope that your Lent lends itself to whatever reorienting, refocusing, reflection that you need to help draw you closer to God!
Weds, Feb 18 Day 1: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” I was able to attend 10am mass even though I am half-sick. I made it most of the way before having a coughing fit –at which point I moved into the Narthex. I made it to mass which was the ultimate goal for starting Lent. I hope I didn’t make anyone sick, but I needed to be there to start this Lent off fully-properly-peacefully.
Thurs, Feb 19 Day 2: I am doing “Crux” thru the Ascension app. (This doesn’t help me reduce time on my phone, but it does help focus is in a correct place and use my phone in a correct way.) The Bible reading for today was Mark 1:12-28. “And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.” This is what I need to do — all my “unclean spirits” that have been taking over my life and pushing out the Lord, I need to listen to Jesus and allow his words to speak to me so deeply that my shortcomings come out of me. “Jesus rebuked him saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ “
“What is this? A new teaching!” >> We don’t get any of the things Jesus taught about in Mark’s gospel other than it was done “as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” If you were there what would you have heard Jesus preach about that day? To then be followed up with him driving out unclean spirits! …While I would have loved to hear more about Jesus’ words I assume we can assume they are “Classic Jesus” – so Mark focuses on the miracle and how Jesus reveals the Truth in His words through action. Jesus isn’t here just to preach. Jesus is here to actually destroy the unclean spirits. He did it then and continues to do it now. :: Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner.
Fri, Feb 20 Day 3: During my time in Adoration today I found myself reading the readings I had planned to read. While reading them I felt like I should just stop reading and instead sit and listen and think. But I just kept chugging along in the readings because I have a personality that doesn’t allow me to stop in the middle of something once I start it — I have to get to the set end. Well it was quite fitting when later in the day while listening to WAOB’s Stations of the Cross they referenced a Bible verse that struck me :: “But first”. In Luke 9 (and Matthew 8) we hear of “The Would-Be Followers of Jesus” (–seriously this is what those verses are labeled in the Bible! As I looked up the verse for this reflection I got to see the title and received a lovely one-two message punch to the heart). I definitely live by the “But first” philosophy. It’s not good; I know that it’s a weakness, but I don’t think I can stop myself. But I do see this as a call to keep striving and doing better — and a reminder to lean on Jesus to help me follow him wherever he goes, rather than relying on myself to follow him wherever he goes whenever I am ready for him to go.
“I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” -Luke 9:61
“But first…”: Isn’t this so true about how we can be followers of Jesus? I love Jesus. I strive to follow him. But I often fail (whether in a big or small way) because there is something I first want to do. I just did it today in Adoration!! Oh gosh that seems bad — I was there to spend time with Jesus and even in that moment I couldn’t fully put him before myself. I am grateful for hearing those few minutes of the Stations (because I only caught a few minutes during a short car ride). I am grateful that God helped me put two-and-two together on these little moments and feelings.
Sat, Feb 21 Day 4: Gospel Luke 5:27-32 Jesus said, “…I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” :: We all start out as sinners. We all continue to be sinners. No matter how hard we try we often fail, sure some fail more than others and others don’t even try to do anything but sin. But we are all sinners. So since we are all sinners Jesus calls all of us to repentance. When we are doing our best we are repenting of our ways and turning back to the Lord as best as we can — and because we can do all things thru God who strengthens us let us lean on Jesus and do what he says: ‘Follow me‘.
Sun, Feb 22 Day 5: Gospel Matthew 4: 1-11 “[Jesus] fasted for forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry.” I’m pretty sure I once heard a priest comment on this (was it Fr. Mike Schmitz?”) that “he was hungry” was quite a humorous understatement and that of course he’d be hungry! :: Being hungry is a very human feeling. I get hungry pretty quickly though — so even going like 12 hours I feel like “afterwards he was hungry” would apply to me. So if I had to go even like 3 days fasting I’d probably be like “Give me food. I will do whatever it is that gets me to food.” And it is precisely at this weakest/most vulnerable point (or at least it would be for me!) that “the tempter approached”. Jesus was strong and chose God every time in the face of every temptation. I am grateful that Jesus was Jesus and he did what he did — in this moment, thru the Passion, and into the Resurrection. Jesus’ ability to follow God fully allows us to follow God and get to heaven thru Jesus even thru/despite our own weaknesses. When I face even the slightest discomfort or temptation I am often willing to “sell myself out” for the easy path to pleasure — it isn’t right and in the depths of my being I don’t want to be so weak. May I use these 40 days of Lent hungry for Jesus.
Mon, Feb 23 Day 6: The first reading today was from Leviticus 19: 1-2, 11-18. It’s a list of things that you should not do. As I listened to the reading all I could think of was how so many people today (here in 2026) are doing exactly all of the things the Lord says not to do. Then interestingly the things He says to do are not done — “You shall fear your God” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” We are living in a world that lives the opposite of what God has called us to.
Tues, Feb 24 Day 7: Mark 2: 1-12 “The Healing of the Paralytic Man”: I’ve often reflected on various aspects of this Gospel story. But something new struck me today. It takes 4 men to carry this person and lower him down to Jesus. But Jesus addresses this man as “child”. He says: “Child, your sins are forgiven.” If I were in that crowd would I have found it odd that Jesus calls this man a child? We are all God’s children – no matter how old we are, no matter what we have done — if we come to Him he will meet us where we are and he will heal us body and soul.
I wrote a song (my lyrics; AI’s music) inspired by this reading:
Weds, Feb 25 Day 8: While I feel like I’ve been “doing good” this Lent with maintaining this year’s Lenten resolutions, I’ve caught old bad habits rearing their head. I am grateful for being able to recognize it so that I can stop myself and do better. When there are areas of my life that I need to cut out so that I can draw closer to God, I don’t just want to give them up for Lent, I strive to give them up forever. This has been a gentle reminder that I can’t just “do good” in pieces; I a need to be a “whole” that does good. Let me remember to strive for the good always in all ways.
Thurs, Feb 26 Day 9: Adoration. I’ve been going to Adoration on Thursday mornings. I’ve been writing reflections (in my journal). It is such a peaceful peace-filled time with the Lord! Many good moments of just being in His presence. I like some of the thoughts I’ve had during this time; they aren’t necessarily profound (though I like to think they are), but they are a reflection of the conversation God wishes to have with me and even if it’s simple and non-profound it is beautiful. It is calming to just sit and exist with the Lord.
Fri, Feb 27 Day 10: Psalm 130 “If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?” I got to explain “iniquities” to Nora. I was like it’s “sin”, “wrongdoing”, a couple other similar words. I had to (just now) look up the definition. Upon Googling it at least it makes sense why I couldn’t define it – we just don’t use the term anymore outside of the Bible. But it’s a good word to know – there’s a depth to the word “iniquity” that I feel like “sin” doesn’t quite capture. AI’s definition: “In the Bible, iniquity (from Hebrew ‘avon) means moral crookedness, a twisted or perverse state that leads to sin, often implying a cnscious choice to deviate from God’s straight path, resulting in deep-seated guilt and distorted behavior, like deceit, violence, or adultery, carrying consequences beyond a single act, like the hardening of the heart. While related to sin (missing the mark), iniquity focuses on the warped character or motive behind the act and its persistent, damaging effects.”
Sat, Feb 28 Day 11: The Little Black Book Lent 2026 book (for 2.27 cuz I got a day behind). I feel like I should compile a list of all the things I feel like I learn for the first time each Lent. Several things so far in this year’s LBB sounded brand new to me and are utterly helpful for understanding Jesus’s identity. The “At the Gate” page described how shepherds would sleep across a pen’s opening so that the sheep didn’t get out –effectively being the gate to protect the sheep and it described how they would use their staff –to defend, guide, rescue. It provides a more concrete understanding of how Jesus is the gate for the sheep. Over the last 2000 years our way of life has changed; I imagine this was utterly apparent during Jesus’ time and needed no explanation – every probably “got it”. And while I have understood this to a degree this knowledge takes my understanding out of the purely metaphorical and concretizes it into something more literal. :: We have to go thru Jesus to get to the Father. The gate is narrow, but if we stay a sheep safe in Jesus’ flock the way into heaven is simply following Jesus thru the gate.
Sun, Mar 1 Day 12: (Writing this on 3/3 cuz I got behind) “Lord, it is good that we are here”. (Matthew 17: 1-9). This is a good quote to remember in many situations. When I remember it, it lifts my mind to God and I can appreciate the moment more. …Literally while typing this up Mabel called “Mommy, come up!” on loop until I paused my writing and finally went up to her room to give her another cuddle good night. I was in the midst of trying to start “me time” and get my writing in, but I put it on pause and went and snuggled her for 10 minutes. Mabel had taken my hand to prevent me from leaving and held it to her chest and exclaimed “Caught you! You no can leave.” and, since it was fresh on my mind, I remembered to think “Lord, it is good that we are here.” -and it truly was. The value of those few minutes together far outweigh anything I can write here –and I need to remember that because I always want my “me time” and get frustrated when I don’t have it or it gets interrupted, but God reminded me that all time is truly His and I need to go where I am called to go and not just go where I want to go.
Mon, Mar 2 Day 13: I’ve been chugging along and thinking I was doing good and keeping on top of all my Lenten goals. But it turns out today is Day 13 and I thought it was Day 12… so I was behind and missed a day without realizing I missed a day. The good thing is I’ve caught up. The bad thing is in my head I’ve been like “I’m rocking this Lent” but somehow I forgot to do some number of my daily things. Can I blame Sunday? Let’s blame Sunday. Just took a little day of rest there but now I’m back on track. …The Lesson: Your own self-assessment may not be the most accurate marker of your progress – spiritual or otherwise. Which reminds me: I need to schedule a session with my Spiritual Director!
Tues, Mar 3 Day 14: Mark 5: 1-20. Crux Day 11 Discussed this Gospel story from Mark – the healing of the Gerasene demoniac. Something in it struck me and I thought “I need to go back when I have more time and delve into that.” And then I proceeded to never have (or find) the time. I no longer am sure what it was I thought about thinking. But I am spending time with it now and here’s my takeaway: The Gerasene was so possessed that “no one could bind him anymore, even with a chain; for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces”. When we think of breaking the chains that bind us we think of being freed – but here was the Gerasene who broke every physical chain that bound him, and yet he was completely a slave to the demons. :: We might think we are free because we do not have physical chains that bind us, but as the Gerasene demoniac shows us, it’s the spiritual chains that bind. The spiritual chains must be broken to be truly free. Jesus helps us break those chains. We must call to Jesus for help and healing. And then we are called to go out and share Jesus’ love, message, mercy with others so that they are guided to breaking their spiritual chains, too. “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” –and the Gerasene man did exactly as Jesus told him to do and “all men marveled”.
Weds, Mar 4 Day 15: St. Katherine Drexel was rich and gave it all away for love of others. St. Francis of Assisi was rich and chose instead a life of poverty. Other wealthy people gave up their wealth in the name of following God. I guess I am grateful to not be rich to not even have to face that choice. How much of a head start I must have on my journey to God since I don’t have to first forgo wealth! …I jest, and yet there’s something to having these saintly examples. If you’re doing life right you follow God. Our society today says you need money to have power, that money will get you everything you want. But God is all powerful and you can have him without having money, and by “getting” God you will have everything you need.
Thurs, Mar 5 Day 16: When you are inside a fog cloud everything that is close to you is much more visible than that which is far away. It can even look like the fog is “over there” and not where you are. And then when you get “over there” it doesn’t look foggy and you can turn around and where you just were looks very foggy. Sometimes you can’t see the fog or the noise or notice what all is around you, surrounding you, because you are too close to it. But get some distance and you can see exactly how foggy your life has become/is. Lent is a good time to start distancing yourself from the fog and as you head “over there” towards Jesus you gain more and more clarity as to just how much of a fog you were in. But unlike when you’re in a fog cloud, you can do something to change your spiritual fog – you can clear the air around you, you can lift the cloud, you can bring out the sun, and it all starts with taking steps towards Jesus.
Fri, Mar 6 Day 17: In Adoration yesterday the people I know that have been lost to suicide were on my mind (as well as those I have known who have attempted it). May the souls of Erin, Tom, Nate, Darrien, and Brandon rest in peace. I had this on my mind as I wrote this week’s God-song:
Sat, Mar 7 Day 18: Today was a day of “getting it done” rather than “doing it right”. Did I do my Lenten things? Yes. But did I focus on them and really “do” them? No. With the exception of fasting -which I ended up doing extra long on accident, as a result of endeavoring to do other endeavors. Severe thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon so I made it a point to get outside on what ended up being a record-setting day temp-wise at 77 degrees (!). We went to a park, swung by the church’s rummage sale, went to another park, stopped and watched two cows chilling, and then it was finally Noon. (Ruthie got up extra early today so we were able to accomplish a lot! “I got up at 6:29!” she kept telling everyone.) Anyways… While at Park #2 I remembered I hadn’t gotten in my daily readings/listenings so I let the USCCB Podcast read me the daily readings, then I put on my Ascension app and listened to the daily reflection and played the daily Crux as I played at the park. I checked my prayer boxes like they were things to check off on a list. I know that some days this is just the way it will be, but I know I can do better and I should strive for better –especially during Lent!! But also, I know I was focused on the most important thing – my kids. It is tough to balance the two “demands” of daily life – God and family – and some days are more in balance than others, but even though I was objectively out of balance I felt that I was somehow doing it the way it was supposed to be done today.
Sun, Mar 8 Day 19: I failed today. I did not go to mass. My heart is a bit crushed that I missed a Sunday and a Sunday in Lent no less. Nora had a swim meet all day Fri-Sat-Sun this weekend that we couldn’t make any mass. We made plans to attend online after she got home. But I totally could have taken Ruth and Mabel to church with me – I even half-heartedly tried to feel them breakfast and get them dressed in a timely manner so we could attend 9am mass. But I failed at that, and then instead of rousing myself for a 10am mass attempt I just quit. Like 3 hours later (after pretty much all mass options ended) Ruthie asked me “Aren’t we going to church?” “A little late there, Ruthie. We were supposed to go hours ago when I was yelling at you both to get ready!” And that was the last I thought about it until Nora came home, exhausted, and she turned on Fr. Mike Schmitz’ mass. I joined her after putting the kids to bed and caught the final minutes of mass. Nora amazes me with her commitment to things, but especially in her commitment to her faith. She inspires me to do better. So here I sit on Wednesday morning, long after I was supposed to celebrate the Sunday liturgy, and am finally getting around to fulfilling my Sunday obligation with Fr. Mike Schmitz’s 3rd Sunday of Lent mass (though in all honesty I’m still failing since I’ve put it on 1.75x speed and can’t seem to stop multi-tasking). I must do better!!
Mon, Mar 9 Day 20: “I hope in the LORD, I trust in his word; with him there is kindness and plenteous redemption.” – Psalm 130: 5,7
Tues, Mar 10 Day 21: We did Family Faith Fellowship last night at church, or as Ruthie calls it: “The basement where I play with Play-Doh.” It’s always nice to gather with other families and talk about God. Next time we meet I will be leading the session on “Signs and Symbols in Our Parish’s Churches”. I have a lot of thinking and prepping to do in the weeks ahead! But I am very very (probably too) excited for it!
Weds, Mar 11 Day 22: My local library has a Moth-style storytelling event coming up with the theme “Renewal”. I think I’ll attend and talk about how Lent tends to change my life when I commit to it. I thought of an opening statement and made myself laugh. “Every late Winter into early Spring I like to torture myself a little bit. It’s not that I’m a masochist. It’s that I’m Catholic.” I feel like that’s a fairly strong opening 🙂 Excited to take time to flesh that all out into a story about God working in my life each Lent!
Thurs, Mar 12 Day 23: I did not give up aimless shopping this Lent, but I think I should probably add it in. I hesitate to write that since it brings me one step closer to actually doing it. But the problem is I like going to thrift shops and finding “treasures”. It must be an actual problem because now when we head to Goodwill Mabel asks me if we’re going to find treasures! It was so cute to hear her say “find treasures?” but then it cut to the heart a bit cuz “yikes, what am I teaching her?”. So I need to sit with this one again and see what I discern. I am sooo tempted to just ignore it and carry on without changing my ways. Hmmm I’m pretty sure my hatred of the thought of change is a sign I need to challenge myself and change. Fortunately we’re basically half way thru Lent so I imagine I could add this in seeing that I’ve had a “bye week” on it til now. Lord Jesus help me. No, truly, I need this help if I’m gonna succeed. …OK, so now having written all of this up I guess I have to officially add it to my Lenten List… Let me turn to the Lord for strength! It seems like such a silly thing and should be easy-breezy-peasy. When tempted Lord please remind me that true treasure lies in you and not the passing things of this world. Amen.
Fri, Mar 13 Day 24: I bought a handmade mug off of Etsy a few years ago. I call it my “Fridays in Lent” mug since I only drink out of it on Fridays in Lent. It has a carved Sacred Heart of Jesus on one side and the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the other. It is a precious mug and makes these Fridays so joy-filled!
Give God Your Yes 