Lent is almost over, and soon we will be raising our voices to celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Our Lord, and a renewed sense of faith and optimism. In these last days of Lent, I find myself doubling up my efforts to keep this time as holy as possible; after all, we are in “Holy Week.” But it’s hard to ignore the bunnies and chocolate, the spring and Easter sales, and the pent-up energy that is fast-approaching spring fever, even for those who are buried under more than a foot of newly fallen snow!

How, then, to keep this week in perspective with the events to occur Thursday, Friday and this weekend?

It could be hard to devote long stretches of time to prayer and reflection, especially as this is, for many, an abbreviated school and work week with much to “pack in” to Mon-Wed. So, I think and try to act in moments. Moments of looking up from the keyboard (as I did just before typing this sentence). Moments of reading a passage or two from one of the gospels (Matthew is my preference these days). Moments of listening – to the wind, to a praiseful song, to the stillness in the world (a blessing midday in the city!).

More moments is better than no time focused on the holiness in this week. In these snips and pieces of hours, we prepare for the events we commemorate later this week, and the powerful emotions that accompany them. And in this preparation, we become more wholey holy – for nothing we do to deepen our spirituality ever goes to waste.

Blessings for the day,

Maureen