Ash Wednesday

"Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself."
--Leo Tolstoy

It's Ash Wednesday ya'll. Lent is upon us. I'll be honest and say that this season in the liturgical calendar always bring great anticipation, but at the same time, a bit of dread. On the surface level, I'm always excited about the prospect of seeing all the other strangers with ashes on their forehead which reminds me of the communion of saints, but at the same time there's a bit of fear associated with being pegged as "the practicing Catholic" in an extremely liberal work environment (though it can make for some adventurous conversations). On a deeper level, I'm excited for the opportunity to grow deeper in faith and draw closer to God, but I'm not looking forward to self-sacrifice it will require of myself because well...it's painful.

But through the years, I've found that the Lenten sacrifice and other spiritual disciplines are exactly what I need to keep the spiritual channel open and my heart attuned to God. I discovered this when my attitude towards Lenten fasting changed from something that I was supposed to do to something that kept bringing me back to God depending on His graces to be able to help me get through my current bout with temptation. I've learned that it's not the fasting or the discipline that saves you or even makes you a holy person, but it strips down the walls and distractions that are in my life and heightens my desire, awareness, and love of God. It's a way of dying to myself so that I can rise with Christ.

So what are my Lenten commitments?

My sacrificial commitment is to drive the speed limit in order to teach myself to grow in love and live a less hurried and people-pleasing/judging life.

My prayer commitment is to pray the rosary every day in addition to my daily devotionals in order to experience the riches of devotion to Mary.

What are you going to commit to for Lent?
Let's hear 'em in the comments.