Dude. It’s Leeeeennnnnnnnnt.
Insert whiny voice. Insert kicking and screaming. Insert general discontent.
Probably means I have NEEDED Lent, huh?
In my thoughts
Honestly, I’ve been enjoying the social media silence in my personal channels. Oh, other people are talking, I’m sure, but I’m tuned out. I didn’t intend to give up ALL social media for Lent—I was just going to go away from my personal Facebook for Lent—but it’s turned into being silent on everything. Even on Sundays.
Given that I’ve been doing quite a bit of social media professionally, along with other “noise” in my life, it’s somehow helped me.
For those of you missing the baby, here you go:
What I’m reading
Walk in Her Sandals: Experiencing Christ’s Passion Through the Eyes of Women, by Kelly Wahlquiest
I just finished this. It’s coming next year from Ave Maria Press. Oh. My. Word. Let’s just say I can’t WAIT to share more about it.
When You Suffer: Biblical Keys for Hope and Understanding, by Jeff Cavins
I started reading this this week. And…yeah. Wow. I’m a big fan of Cavins’s writing, tis true, and THIS IS WHY. This book. It’s approachable and real and maybe it was written just for me. Or that’s how it feels as I read it, and I think that’s one of the special gifts Cavins has as a writer.
The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien
I’ve been reading this with my 11-year-old (that’s Fern, y’all, and yes, she will be posting reviews again as soon as her mom gets back on the ball). She was assigning me chapters to read, and I was reading them…and then she got sick. I’m up to chapter 4 or so. And I am finally giving in to the desire to highlight and mark favorite passages. Because YES! Fabulous writing!
33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Divine Mercy Consecration, by Father Michael Gaitley, MIC
I’ll be wrapping up my 33-day journey this week. I’m tempted to try to start it over on March 1 so I can make my consecration on Divine Mercy Sunday, but I think, to be honest, I’m going to give myself a break and do it next year.
My pick of the week
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I’ve been trying to use The Better Part during my morning prayer time. (Or trying to, because some days, the morning prayer time is not conducive to trying any sort of meditation. At. All.)
Well, THANK YOU, dear reader Colleen, for emailing me and telling me about…
THE APP!
Yes, that’s right.
THERE IS A BETTER PART APP.
Sadly, it is only available for iOS right now, and I find that TERRIBLE and HORRIBLE and VERY BAD. For $1.99, it was a no-brainer purchase (the book is MUCH MORE than that, and, admittedly, also a different experience (better, I think), but this is FABULOUS.
I haven’t had much of a chance to use it, because I try not to whip through my Better Part readings, but this gives me the chance to couple my daily Mass readings with some deeper thoughts on the Gospel.
Because, by the power of technology, they’ve been able to make it automated so that it goes to the day’s Gospel.
BRILLIANT, I tell you!
A recent read worth highlighting
7 Secrets of Divine Mercy, by Vinny Flynn, is one of my favorite books.
With his typical down-to-earth style, Flynn has tackled what seems like the most complicated of subjects: Divine Mercy. (I mean, have you read St. Faustina’s Diary? It’s great. And it’s also…very difficult.)
Not only does Flynn make Divine Mercy something even normal, sinful everyday people in the pew can understand and appreciate, he also unpacks it.
You can’t read this book without thinking, in all caps, “OH WOW! THIS IS GREEEEAAAAT!”
You’re thinking that, by the way, about Divine Mercy. Not about the book, though it is a very good book.
That’s part of its appeal, really. This book is pointing to something much greater than itself. Reading it is like highlighting your soul. You can’t help but meet the message of Divine Mercy and be transformed.
If you haven’t set aside any special reading for this Year of Mercy, consider this book. But you could read it anytime. And it’s worth REreading. Yes, it’s that good. 🙂
What I’ve been writing
How do Polish history and Divine Mercy tie in with fun reading? Well, I never thought I’d find it, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Fr. Gaitley.
Given that I have complained and bemoaned nearly every book I’ve read here, probably to the detriment of everyone who reads along with us (please forgive me, dear patient readers!), I want to say this: I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.
Yes, you read that right. I have already finished this book, in a flurry of reading that had me up late and reading in the car between basketball tournaments.
Today’s chapters give us a dose of Polish history and the kickoff of this great story Fr. Gaitley has to share.
Read it all and join the book club at SpiritualDirection.com!
A glimpse of life
Because there are a few of you who can’t get enough of this…
Something to think about
Found this in the last week and it has really stuck in my heart:
Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love?
– Archbishop Fulton Sheen
YOUR TURN: How’s Lent going? Been reading anything good?
Kelly’s not at the lyceum (and yes, I have googled what that is), but she is hosting the quick takes fun. You won’t want to miss hers. Trust me.
HAHAHAHAHA! I love the photos of your boys. Those are great!
I’m also reading the Cavins book and, as you said, it’s so approachable.
Pray for me, if you would, in your radio silence. Just realized that beginning 3/4 I have 8 performance dates for Luke’s show, his birthday AND his Confirmation. In one 10-day period. Coffee will be needed in vast quantities.
Indeed I WILL pray for you and He Who Shall Always Be Little Brother To Me. 🙂
I’m not allowed to call him that anymore. He’s taller than me now!
He dare not tell ME not to call him that. Mwahahaaaaaaa. 🙂
If on Android, you can get The Better Part on Kindle…better than the app and easier than the paper book (I got annoyed at the glossy paper 🙂
Yes, that glossy paper has been an occasion for me to offer up some struggle too (I read by a lamp in the early morning and I have to hold the book a certain way…). Yay Kindle! Thanks for sharing this, Marika! 🙂