Dear Friends,
In college, I became acquainted with another student who had recently been diagnosed with a significant long-term health condition. While many of his friends still enjoyed staying out late at the bars, eating junk food, and skipping regular exercise, he no longer could. In order to feel his best, he was up early most mornings heading out for a two-mile run. He learned to prepare simple, healthy meals and eat that way in restaurants, too. And he kept a regular sleep schedule, limiting caffeine and avoiding putting off studying until the night before.
In short, he began living a rather “Lenten” lifestyle, all the time. Making all those changes was a challenge. There were setbacks along the way, but what he told me several years later was how much freedom he gained. At the time, I imagined that what he meant was that through a disciplined commitment to healthy habits, he had avoided the most concerning effects of his illness. While that was true, the freedom he spoke of was much more than that.
During Lent, many of us give up something that we value, using the time and space that this creates for better self-care, to nurture relationships, and to reset our focus on God. We take on new spiritual practices that become catalysts for our transformation and growth. Unexpectedly, in the end, rather than feeling constrained or limited, in spiritual growth we discover a greater freedom.
I pray that you each experience a Holy Lent, as we prepare ourselves to follow the path of Jesus’ during Holy Week.
Blessings,
Mtr Katherine
