I thought about a memory I had from probably 2009? It was Ash Wednesday and I had just gotten into the teachers lounge to make a bell work assignment for my students for the beginning of class.
Another teacher was doing the same thing at one of the two computers. She asked me what I was giving up for Lent. I remember that I proudly told her that I was giving up swearing! She was impressed and I told her that it will be difficult but I want to try!!!
We talked more and mid-conversation, the bell rang! I wasn’t finished with my work yet! I yelled an exasperated F-bomb and then told my colleague that I was going to have to pick something different.
I thought about that for this Lent and I thought that I could do it this time because I am really feeling God now. I said the D word three times on Ash Wednesday. I had to think of something different but then I remembered that Fr. Mike said in one of his homilies that it’s okay to change your Lenten offering and he invited us to start Lent in silence.
I can do that!
That’s what I’ve done. I didn’t listen to Apple Music or even play any of the games I have on my phone. Pentecost is June 8 and that concludes the Easter season so I think for now, I’m just going to enjoy the silence.
It’s extremely powerful and I’m really loving it!