A Good Place to Start

“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Ten days ago, we began our Lenten journeys. 40 days to nourish, explore, and commune with the sacred deep within us. 

One of my favorite things about the Catholic Church is the liturgical seasons. Just like the earth’s seasons, we move through them. These seasons happen whether we are ready for them or not. 

At the beginning of the month, in a burst of preparing for this season, I uninstalled all games from my phone and tablet. I then made a conscious decision to not use my phone when I traveled to Austin for the recent WOC Board of Directors meeting. It was…weird. I just sat in the airport and looked around. I forgot how much fun I have storytelling about the people around me. They become characters in made-up scenarios that I put them in. People watching. If a certain person seemed like they were weary, anxious, or upset, I would offer them a prayer of loving kindness. I had fun with no Instagram, X, TikTok, or Facebook. Just me and the hundreds of folks moving through the airport and their lives. I thought that was a good place to start. 

Fast forward to Ash Wednesday. I had read the introduction to A Different Kind of Fast, (the book I shared that I am using this for my time in ‘the desert’), did not make it to Ash Wednesday’s liturgy, and was frustrated with myself. Even though I know it’s not a Holy Day of Obligation (that now cracks me up – that Jesus would obligate us to anything), I know I haven’t missed many Ash Wednesdays and I always love being marked with the ashes. To show that I am a sinner, but more importantly, I’m doing something about that – or at least trying. But, not going doesn’t mean I’ve forsaken my desert experience.  And I can find a good place to start. 

As an aside, it is interesting that more Catholics, who have left the church, still return for Ash Wednesday – more so than Christmas and Easter. My personal opinion is we know we need to rend our hearts and make space for growing closer to Godde within us. It is comforting to know we are not alone in our journey toward wholeness, as we grow closer to death with each breath. It is a good place to start. 

In one of my faith communities, our Lenten theme is BE OPEN. (Mark 7:34). I believe Lent calls us to be open to the Spirit – to empty ourselves and take an inventory of where we can make space to be open to whatever the Spirit has in store for us during our 40-day journey. It is a good place to start. 

I like how Christine Valters Paintner, in A Different Kind of Fast, designates the first few days of Lent as Ash Wednesday week. It is a gentle way to come into this season of reflection, repentance, and reconciliation. It is a good place to start. 

Next, Paintner invites us “to fast from multitasking and the destructive energy of inattentiveness. In our attempts to do many things, none are done well, and none as a result nourishes us. The practice you will look at instead will be a beholding of each thing, each person, each moment, as you respond to that hunger for presence.”  Another good place to start.

As a teacher of students with disabilities, when creating Individual Assessment Plans, I was taught to ‘begin with the end in mind.’  Another good place to start. 

So, my question to you is, where is a good place to start? What are you fasting from this Lent? What do you hope to gain (or lose) throughout these 40 days? I am curious and would like to hear from you. 

Amen, and namaste.