Signs appeal to those seeking for power. Wisdom appeals to those seeking after knowledge. But the cross attracts those seeking after love. The cross is attractive because it demonstrates a total, self-giving, self-emptying love.

Lent is all about getting back to the basics of our faith: We proclaim Christ crucified. That means putting aside our search for signs or wisdom, and striving instead to give ourselves completely for Jesus as Jesus gave himself completely for us.

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We have a choice when we go through those really foggy times: to give in to doubt and discouragement, bargaining with God; or to live trustingly that God will provide. We are not spared the troubles of this world, but God promises that in everything He will be with us - and no matter what we face in our lives, God will provide.

The temptations Jesus faced are not much different than those we all face, and He not only gives us a model for how to respond to them with humility, but He also promises to stand with us as we face them and help us to reject them. And even when we fail, we can get up, go back to our Father, and be received with prodigious love.

The practice of giving things up for Lent is about learning detachment from good things, so that God can have His proper place in our lives.

It’s easier to put people into categories rather than see them as an individual loved in particular by God. As Lent begins, think of the people in your life that you have dumped into categories, and ask God for the grace to see them as He does.

It’s easier to put people into categories rather than see them as an individual loved in particular by God. As Lent begins, think of the people in your life that you have dumped into categories, and ask God for the grace to see them as He does.