January 25, 2026, 12:00 PM
As I sat down to write these words, I realized that Lent is less than a month away!
While I’m not always happy to see weeks and months and years rushing by, Lent offers a special time of grace. The Church invites us in those 40 days to deepen our relationship with Christ, to walk more faithfully in his ways. But it’s also the promise of spring! After all, “Lent” itself is an old Anglo-Saxon word for “spring.”
Meanwhile, let’s use these pre-Lent weeks well. These days are, depending on one’s language, Carnival (feasting on the meat we won’t have in Lent), Shrovetide (preparing to be shriven of our sins), or Mardi Gras (the fat days when we rejoice in rich foods). Let’s feast on the good things God gives us. When Lent comes, we’ll appreciate all the more the sacrifices we make.
On a practical note, these are the days when we collect last year’s (or whatever year’s you happen to find around your house) palms. Bring them to any of our churches so that we can burn them for the Ash Wednesday ashes. Those ashes aren’t something we buy from a catalog. They’re part of the larger picture of our dying and rising with Christ.
And, for the men in our communities, consider Exodus 90. Yes, that 90-day preparation has already begun. But you can still sign up—and catch up! We do have a local group that meets. If you have questions, please feel free to talk to me or Fr Dias. I’ve done Exodus 90 these past three years—Fr Dias is starting for the first time. But we’d be happy to help welcome guys to the group and the process.
For everyone, Lent doesn’t just happen on its own. Yes, the calendar turns and Ash Wednesday’s upon us. But a good Lent needs us to reflect on the ways we need to grow, the places where we long for the Lord’s mercy, the ways in which his love can increase in us. Take the time to quiet down, to think and pray ourselves into a good and holy Lent.
Fr. McCreary
