Lent: A Personal Post-Season Evaluation

We are called to be Easter people. We live in the light of the Risen Lord. The purple and gray that once draped a Lenten church is no more. Today, it shines brightly in white and gold. Lillies line the altar. Overnight, a transformation has taken place. Eastertide is upon us, a celebration of 50 days and yet, I can't help but look back. Maybe I shouldn't. In the words of Bruce Springsteen, I find myself "caught in a crossfire that I don't understand." —Badlands.

Lent is more than 40 days. To me, it is long. It's hard; it's heavy. With Easter Sunday, I know  we find a new freedom —we have been released from the burden of sin— but to make that switch overnight is tough. Am I the only one who feels this way? I guess I would have walked to the empty tomb. Like Mary, Peter and John, I would go— but I might pace and space myself to get there.

I don't want to stay in Lent any longer than necessary. Truly, I want to live as an Easter person. I just need some help. I decided a Lenten debrief, also known as a post-season evaluation might assist me in my efforts. Time to turn the page!

As a teacher and a coach, as someone who has worked in an athletic department and now works in an office of Adult Spirituality, evaluations are not new to me. In fact, I had a professor who found them to be as essential as the event/experience/course itself. She helped me understand why they are important—even if but a few people complete them. She taught me how to craft effective ones, how to read the information and what to do with all of it. Thank you, Adrian!

The discipline of creating and completing an evaluation allows the organizer to consider their hopes and expectations. They invite personal input and commentary. They help you identify strengths and weaknesses—aka areas of growth. My athletes completed one at the end of every season. I figured with this mentality, Why not create one for Lent? 

Much like an athletic season or team, each Lent is different. Some Lents are harder than others. I participate and commit myself to practices of my faith. Each one is intentional and formative. Some require sacrifice, others mindfulness. Some of Lenten practices have changed me forever. In order for me to be an Easter season, I need to get a sense of what has changed... How has Abba Father shaped me in a new way, Am I more Christ-like—am I move loving? forgiving? How do I resist temptation? 

Let these questions serve as the introduction of your own post-Lenten season evaluation. Consider the others I have listed here.

• Describe the change you were hoping for this Lent. How has that change transpired? How has it changed course into something new?
  
  
• Did you share your Lenten journey with anyone? Make plans to have a conversation with a good friend to discuss how it went.
  
  
• You may have started Lent with an idea of the path you were hoping to take to Easter. It's likely that path changed. Did it? What were the graces? What were the missed opportunities?
  
  
• What practices during Lent might you like to keep through the Easter season?
  
  
• In what ways did you incorporate mindful silence into your day? 
  
  
• Who did you write to this Lent? Remember these people in your prayers. Who do you want to reach out to?
  
  
• One of the pillars of Lent is giving alms. In what ways do you plan to continue giving to the poor this Easter season?

Like any effective evaluation, complete this personal inventory / reflection guide within a week of Easter Sunday. 

You won't receive a certificate, a block or a trophy for having completed Lent. I do believe however, the growth and gifts emerge quietly, gracefully and joyfully in the Easter season...and beyond. I hope this post-season evaluation offers insight into all of that, plus more.

Happy Easter. Truly, He is Risen. Alleluia!

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Cookie
Cross
Eval

Name the Temptation: A Spiritual Exercise for Athletes

On the first Sunday of Lent, we hear the same Gospel reading: The Temptation of Jesus. Look closely at Luke Ch 4, it says, "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil." 40 days! I knew Jesus was a spiritual decathlete. I was aware that the desert and that period of time was demanding but to give pause and consider the length / extent of His temptation humbles me. We read that "He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry." Jesus was in this arid, separated place all by His lonesome. For all intensive purposes it's safe to assume He was weak...and yet we know, He was strong.

The Word is written so that we can further reflect upon the life of Christ. Through knowing Christ, we can love Christ. We are called to determine what He did for us and how His example may assist us in our own journey....and against our own temptation.

Temptation is all around us. Every single day we face some sort of it, big and small. If Jesus was tempted for 40 days in a row, we better believe we are too, and no where is it more real than in sports.

Athletes are tempted in every which way. Temptation to complain about the referee or playing time. Temptation to criticize the coach or worse, a teammate (John Wooden would have none of that). The temptation to not complete the task, drill or set is very strong. I hear my inner-monologue right now: Coach told me 50 push-ups. Here we go...ok how about 40. Today I'll get 40 good ones instead of 50 bad ones....no one will know. Professional athletes face great temptations with the lures of money, status, pride and glory at hand. 

 Quite often, competition leads us into temptation. No wonder so many teams pray the "Our Father" The opportunities for temptation are more pressing as the stakes for what we may gain or what me may lose are much higher. A tennis player knows the ball hit a sliver of the line but it looks out. A golfer is aware that her opponent didn't see the mis-hit. Why count that stroke? Those of us who watch water polo don't see so much of what is taking place under water. This might be a good thing. Water polo is a very physical game.—kicking and other forms of physical contact are bound to happen. Does that include scratching and clawing? I'm sure you can offer your own examples, from your favorite sport.

As a coach, I have offered what I hope is a useful tool on the golf course and in life: name the temptation. 

I run my team through this spiritual exercise. Upon completion of a hole, a golfer ought to tell their opponent their score. I say, "every last part of you may want to tell her that you got a four when you shot a five. Pause right there. Admit it to yourself. Recognize what you want to do. NAME THE TEMPTATION—in other words say to yourself exactly what you want to do. Some athletes will use a physical cue here e.g. a two tap, head nod, etc in order to reset. Great call. Take that moment and that physical cue and commit to do what is right. Give the honest score." I add, "not all of you will struggle in the same way with this example, but the spiritual exercise remains. When you are faced with a temptation, just name that it is there. Call it out." Often, this separates you from the emotion and the desire. That momentary distance can be a good thing!

Knowing the name of a person or place is the first step in building a relationship. To name the temptation might do the same. We need to relate to temptation and familiarize ourselves with its many faces, characteristics, alleged promises and potential impact. We may face the same temptation for forty days or different ones during that time—but it's a universal part of the human experience. To suggest otherwise is delusional, and I dare say—the work of the devil. Oh how the devil would love for us to think that temptation is not real...that it is far away.....and confronts us infrequently. 

Let us look to Christ, who faced temptation for 40 days, especially during these 40 days of Lent for inspiration. And, be sure to use this spiritual exercise to name it, when it's both easy and when it's tough. Blessings.

Photo Credits

word cloud
Jesus sitting
Mayweather

Lent 2019: The Sweet Spot

Because I am a tennis player, I know exactly what a sweet spot is. Golfers do too. However, if I have had one singular misgiving about my experience as an athlete, it's that I was built for sports of one. However the very first video reflection in the 2019 Best Lent Ever Series by Dynamic Catholic has reminded me that my vision is too narrow. Lent is a time to not only give something up, it's a season to give in to what we want to do...what we can do...with God's grace, and focus in on our sweet spot.

I wish my hoops career had not ended in seventh grade! My lone asset, my height, was no longer my advantage on the hardwood. I look at our girls' volleyball teams and wish I had their skills and the camaraderie that comes with all that team training. I played one season of intramural flag football for Farley Hall, my freshman year at Notre Dame, but I knew I was cut out for something much different. There were no sweet spots to be found. Put me in coach! so long as it's a sport for one. I make a great teammate in that capacity and coach, too. I've loved bringing girls on crew, cross country and golf to think beyond their individual contributions, but I do envy the other domain of *true* team sports. Sigh.

However, Matthew Kelly reminds us Lent is a season to broaden one's perspective—that is what sacrifice, atonement and repentance ought to do. Watch it here 

As Christians, we’re called to act in the world. We're not called just to be spectators in this life. We're called to take action—to take bold action, to be involved, to be engaged in the life of our culture, in the life of our country, in the life and experience of humanity. 

It's easy to get distracted, though, by all the things that we can’t impact. It's easy to get distracted by all of the things that we can't influence. There's a lot of things we read in the news or watch in the news that we actually can't do anything other than pray about. 

And when we get caught up in those sorts of things—when we get lost in conversations about those sorts of things—we wander away from our sweet spot. You see every one of us, we got a sweet spot. There's a sweet spot where you can have the most impact. There's a sweet spot where you can have the most influence. And God wants you to act in that sweet spot. God wants you to live in that sweet spot and act in that sweet spot and influence in that sweet spot. And everything outside of that sweet spot, to some extent, is just a distraction. 

So as we make this journey together, it's a great opportunity to allow God to invite us back into our sweet spot and to really make us aware of that sweet spot and strengthen us in that sweet spot.

The sweet spot is the place on the racket where one ought to hit the ball. When you hit the sweet spot, the ball gets much more bang for its buck. The racket does the most work that it can—not necessarily your biceps and forearms. The outcome of hitting the ball on the sweet spot is better distance, pure power, more give, less go. I'm not sure that an athlete who plays team sports considers the significance of the sweet spot like us individual athletes do. As a golfer, I am constantly reminding myself "let the club do the work." The sweet spot affirms that it does. 

Kelly runs with this image, this idea to help us understand how we can use our gifts and talents to make the world a better place. We ought to focus in on this area and change might occur far and wide, with some ease and positive results. The Lord is much more than the master architect. God is the master manager and coach. This Lent, I hope to keep my focus so that I can bring the needs and wants of the world to meet my sweet spot.

Have a great Lent!

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Racket
Best Lent Ever

How Coaches and Athletes Might Fast During Lent

Posted in the faculty workroom is the sign "Do you want to Fast this Lent" Funny question. Do I want to fast? No. Am I called to? Yes. At least during Lent, I am!

I'm not eager to renounce myself of much, but looking at the words of Pope Francis, I realize this spiritual discipline remains an important invitation for all of us who want to grow in our faith, become more like Christ and model God's love. I also believe these are words that could be furthered by every coach with his or her team. 

Pope Francis’ Words

Do you want to fast this Lent?

• Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

• Fast from worries and trust in God.

• Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

• Do you want to fast this Lent? 

• Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

• Fast from bitterness sand fill your heart with joy.

• Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

• Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

• Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

Take the Holy Father's eleven recommendations and let them speak to the challenges offered in your sport. Let your captains open up each one as it has resonated with their own experience. Let each student-athlete give their voice to how fasting in this way is necessary or important. Encourage them to consider how they might be different or the team might be better if it were to fast from hurting words, sadness, anger, pessimism, worries, complaints, pressures, bitterness, selfishness and grudges? Advise them to imagine a program that is filled with gratitude, patience, hope, trust, prayer, joy, compassion and reconciliation.

Coaches might use this poster as a prayerful Examen. We can speak to about each one with a narrative of our own. Examples include:

1. When we are tested, tired and pushed, it's just so easy to say hurtful words to our coaches, teammates and the referees. Sports and athletic competition is no stranger to all of it. Sometimes jealousy and resentment cloud our vision and we spread gossip, snide remarks and jeers. Instead, during Lent let us commit to finding the good in one another—and say it!
   
2. What athlete or coach hasn't felt sadness at some point during the season. Injuries get us down. Other times, things don't materialize as we had hoped—the team doesn't gel, the athlete isn't developing, the thrill is gone. Fast from sadness and count your blessings. What are you grateful for? Thank God for the very fact you can compete...you have a team...you have the chance to lead.

I coached a Spring sport for but two seasons of my coaching tenure. Undoubtedly the longest of the three sports seasons, Spring sports offer time and opportunities for prayer and reflection unlike the Fall and Winter seasons (not a value judgment; it is true for each one!). Though I do not want to return to coaching rowing, were I to coach crew again or coach track, swimming or boys golf, I know I would tap into all that Lent can offer by way of Sports and Spirituality. Pope Francis' words are but one way to do that.

He really is something, that Pope Francis...In our Lenten Lunch reflection, I also read these words: Life is a journey. When we stop, things don't go right. Let us walk together during these 40 days of Lent...asking questions and fasting in the way he invites us to do.

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Do you want to fast this Lent?

40 Things to Give Up for Lent: Sports & Spirituality Style Part II

It shouldn't have been a surprise to me that a list of 40 things one could give up for Lent would be so popular. Lists are everywhere. The latest edition of Notre Dame Magazine, the official alumni publication of my alma mater is entitled Making Lists. Just when I go to recycle it, I discover another list and chew on a new gem.  The editor, Kerry Temple writes "we like it when things come in numbers. Definite, concise, nailed down. There is a clarity, a certainty, a sense that all the deliberations are done, the work is over, the excess carved away and the essential bones delivered in a tidy package. Reader friendly." No wonder I wanted to take it to the blog.

One of the more popular lists these days is one named after a bucket. "The Bucket List" started as a catalog of things to do before one "kicks the bucket." However, it has taken on new dimensions. Many college kids create one for their campus experience. 

Perhaps you have a list of your own? 100 Things to Eat in San Francisco before you die? Top 10 road races in America and one list I still need to blog about is Pope Francis' 10 Tips for Living a Happy Life. In the meantime, let me follow up with the remaining 20 Things to Give up for Lent with the eye of an athlete and a coach. 

Happy Lent!

1. Bitterness – The only person I am hurting by holding on to this is myself. Bitterness is insidious. It eats away at our hearts and can reside there for extended periods of time. And nothing can compromise the notion of sportsmanship and team work like bitterness. Do what you can to let it go.
2. Distraction – Life is filled with distractions that will take our eyes off the prize. Mary Oliver offers but three commands in In her poem "Instructions for How to Live a Life." Number one is "Pay attention." It's a given in sports. You have to read the play, focus on your breathing, respond to your opponent. Paying attention is the opposite of distraction; Lent is a good time to give that up!
3. Giving up – God never gives up on us. Jimmy V said it best: Don't give up, don't ever give up. And I love Stuart Scott for adding to Valvano's message. He said "When you get too tired to fight, then lay down, and rest, and let somebody else fight for you.” Amen.
4. Mediocrity – If you are going to do something, then give it all you got. The late John Wooden said "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?” Indeed, there's no time for mediocrity. Do your best, and everyone wins.
5. Destructive Speech – Encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching (see Hebrew 10:25). One of my favorite sports to watch at the high school where I teach is boys volleyball. And I know that's because in addition to being great athletes, I love the way they encourage one another after every play. They regroup and affirm. The help one another shake things off; they have to. Destructive speech is to a minimum.
6. Busyness – It is a badge of honor to be busy. But that does not always translate to abundance. While playing golf a few weeks ago, a friend noticed how two men were taking their time as they unloaded their equipment from their respective carts. They were talking to those assisting them without rushing. I thought of how often I just run from one place to the next; my busyness prevents me from engaging with those right in front of me...those who are all too often, my neighbor.
7. Loneliness – With Jesus I am never alone. He is with me wherever I go. I always look out for that girl on the cross country team that is sitting on the bus alone. On a team, we can still feel lonely. During Lent, keep an eye out for that teammate who might feel isolated or left out.
8. Disunity – If two of you agree on earth about anything, it will be done for them by the Heavenly Father (see Matthew 18:19) When "camps" or "cliques" develop in a team, nip it in the bud. Call it to everyone's attention through a team meeting. Lead by saying "it has come to my attention that groups are forming within our team....what can we do about this." 
9. The Quick Fix – Rarely does true transformation happen overnight. In the movie "Chariots of Fire," the Rev. J. D. Liddell, told his son, the Scottish Olympic runner Eric, Don't compromise. Compromise is the language of the devil. It's no different than a quick fix. Take the necessary time to allow for change.
10. Worry – God is in control and worrying will not help. Mother Teresa said: "if you pray don't worry. If you worry, don't pray." As a coach and as an athlete there is so much to worry about! Pray!
11. Idolizing – Don’t assign anyone a standard they cannot live up to. It's inevitable in professional sports to idolize and see these men and women as heroes. But I prefer to recall the words of Thomas Merton: "for me to be a saint is to be myself." And his biographer said Merton was "so human, but so holy." Role models and mentors? check. Idols? No so much.
12. Resistance to Change – Change is certain. It is not if we will change, but how we will change. I had a conversation with the head football coach at the school where we teach. He said the teams that have won the championships have had to overcome so sort of adversity. If they were resistant to change, they wouldn't be there. Keep that in mind over the course of your own season.
13. Pride – Blessed are the humble. All too often, egos come with the territory in athletics. But coaches say "act like you've been there before" for a good reason. Humility is more that gracious. It's impressionable.
14. Small View of God – Don’t tell God how big your problem is, tell your problem how big your God is. I like this one as is. Amen.
15. Envy – I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father. It can be very easy to envy the talents, abilities and success of our teammates, especially if we believe we have worked just as hard. When you feel this creeping in, think green. Cool down and Count your blessings.
16. Ungratefulness – You have been blessed in a way greater than you realize. As chronicled in my blog posting "One Hit Away: Something Beautiful for God" be the 10%. Always say "thank you." 
17. Selfish Ambition – God has a mission for me that is bigger than me. Our athletes wear AMDG on their uniforms. This is a reminder that all we do is for the Greater Glory of God. Not our own.
18. Self-Sufficiency – Jesus is my strength. I can do all things through him (see Philippians 4:13) Many athletes live by this motto. I think it's important to have a few passages of Scripture committed to memory. They serve as "tools for the tool box" when we need to think and speak about our faith and offer a prayer. St. Paul's words here help us to realize the real source of our life comes from God.
19. Sorrow – Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5b). An athlete I was close to started to cry at the completion of his final high school basketball game; one his team should not have lost. I wondered if his sorrow would prevent him from shaking hands with the victors. He walked away, regrouped and extended his congratulations. That said a lot to me. Sorrow is natural, but remember the joy...and the journey itself. 
20. My Life – Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25) I wish this wasn't true...but it is. It's tough to give it over to God. But athletes and coaches do tough things everyday. Trust, pray, and love. All very challenging and yet that's a recipe for a good life!

Photo Credits

ND Mag
Giving up giving up

40 Things to Give Up for Lent: Sports & Spirituality Style

Lent is a liturgical season that demands spiritual discipline. The 40 days of Lent mirror the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. During His time in solitude, he fasted, faced temptation and committed himself to prayer; it strengthened his soul which prepared him to undertake the arduous passion. 

Whether or not athletes are in touch with their spirituality, they are summoned to discipline the mind, body and soul regularly. When I saw the posting "40 Things to Give Up this Lent: The List" I reviewed it with the eye of an athlete and a coach. I decided add—in italics—how what one can fast from, can pertain to sports. Whether or not you are an athlete "in season" there is an invitation to prepare for Easter in this special way. Determine for yourself what you are hoping to root out and what needs to grow in your heart. I hope this list helps! 

I am reflecting on the first 20 for this posting and the next 20 to follow.

1. Fear of Failure – You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward. Failure can be a great teacher for a team, athlete and coach. And in sports, its inevitable. Do your best, give it your all and enjoy. 
2. Your Comfort Zone – It’s outside our comfort zones where new discoveries are made. As an athlete, the only way to get to the "next level"  is to expand your comfort zone. Go for it.
3. Feelings of Unworthiness – You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator. (see Psalm 139:14). A lack of playing time, not improving, and even injuries can cause serious doubt for an athlete. Believe in yourself and see that Psalm!
4. Impatience – God’s timing is the perfect timing.This one is tough...there's often little room for patience in athletics. But when improvement is slow, when growth feels latent, persevere. Be patient and trust your coach, teammates and most importantly, yourself.
5. Retirement – As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. Our work is not always tied to a paycheck. It's hard for many professional athletes and coaches to know when to hang it up. But I think there is a fine art to this. One of my all time favorite athletes, Will Clark retired at the age of 36 as a St. Louis Cardinal. He went out on top with a post-season average of .500. He knew the demands of his family were increasing and his playing days were dwindling. Retiring opens new chapters and opportunities; to me he's an example of knowing when to say when. There's grace in that...
6. People Pleasing – I can’t please everyone anyways. There is only one I need to strive to please. Pleasing yourself doesn't mean you need to be selfish; it means you know your talents, role and ability. Trust those.
7. Comparison – I have my own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like me. Where would so many sports be today without the game changers? If Dick Fosbury compared himself to other high-jumpers, athletes would still take leap forward over the bar. He didn't and ever since, jumpers have been raising and clearing the bar.
8. Blame – I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions. Call me biased—my grandfather and uncles have been referees. My tolerance for blaming the ref is quite limited. Don't let the outcome of the game depend on close calls. Do your best.
9. Guilt – I am loved by Jesus and he has forgiven my sins. Today is a new day and the past is behind. Unfortunately, history knows the names of those who have made the "big mistakes." 
10. Overcommitment – Do less better and accomplish more. During cross country season, I could not believe the number of my athletes who left our practice in order to workout with another team of another sport. Inevitably, these girls face injury and exhaustion. Keep your eye on the prize.
11. Lack of Counsel – Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum. Unfortunately, I have sprained my back from playing golf. Since my injury, I have learned so much from so many different people about their own back problems. Counsel has not brought physical relief, but a huge mental one.
12. Impurity – Live lives pure and without blemish. 1 Corinthians 6:9 states: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? SI believe athletics reveals this truth second to none. All the more reason that it ought to be kept free of performance enhancing drugs. It requires tender care and respect. We only have one!
13. Entitlement – The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace. Playing time is a gift, your position on the team is a open door. Be grateful and help others to be thankful too.
14. Apathy – Life is too short not to care. Sports are meant to be a form of recreation—a time when we recreate ourselves! To not care about the game or the team is to lose sight of all it can be. My XC team knows our informal motto is "We run because we can." Channel gratitude, not apathy.
15. Hatred – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21) I believe athletics is a positive way to challenge negative feelings. The world is an unjust place. People we love fail us. -Isms take hold of too many of our hearts. Let sport be a place where those feelings of disappointment and hatred are exercised out. Yes, there is work to do to root out evil, but that takes stamina as well. 
16. Negativity – I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic. Nothing can destroy a team like negativity. A good coach will root it out and maintain a zero tolerance for it. Period.
17. The Spirit of Poverty – Believe that with God there is always more than enough and never a lack. This is one reason why we love sports. We've seen the athlete or the team that doesn't have much but a whole lot of heart rise to the top. Think of them as Lenten teachers!
18. Going Through the Motions – The more you invest yourself, the more you will get back. Drills and circuit training can be tedious and trying. But I've noticed that when we give it some spunk, crack a few jokes, and encourage others, it's so much better. And, they always paid physical dividends!
19. Complaint – Instead of contributing to the problem, be the solution. One of a my mentors, and a great coach, Frank Allocco tells his athletes, "rather than complain, work harder." I couldn't agree more.
20. The Pursuit of Happiness – God wants something greater and more lasting than happiness. It is called joy. I will be living with the joy of the third World Series in five years until the 2015 MLB champion is crowned. In the meantime, the joy of victory tastes so sweet. Thank you to the San Francisco Giants!

This Lent, move beyond the typical....

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Wordle

40 Days: See Weblink above

Lent 101: Why I Need the Pre-Game Warm-up

I found myself in a new position on Ash Wednesday; I wasn't sure what I was going to do or not do for Lent.

I  just love the photo. What could be more culturally Catholic?

I'm always a little surprised by how openly people discuss what Lenten practice they have committed for the 40 days of the Holy Season. I grew up in a home that expected us to "give something up." We abstained from meat on Fridays and aimed to fast on both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but we did not disclose what our Lenten discipline might be. And even today,  when I ask my dad what he's working on for Lent he gives me a look and says "I"m not sharing that." Fair enough. 

Some of us need the communal support for success. Others want to root out a tendency or habit that gets in the way of our relationship with God. Striving for holiness may mean exposing our humanity and our selfishness. Said information may not be for public consumption.

But the last two days at school, my students have warmly and innocently asked what I am doing for Lent. I was honest, I said "I'm not sure yet. I'm hoping to get a sense of what I need to do and commit to it soon."

One friend commented on her surprise that so many people give up FB for Lent

And that is my roundabout way of making a case for the pre-season warm up. Although preparation is not exclusive to sports, it certainly exposes how important it is.

In cross country, the three most important words are June, July and August. This translates to summer running. Those athletes who train before the season begin are stronger, fitter, get faster during the season and with the right coaching prevent injury (even overuse injury!). They approach the time trial with a noticeable confidence. Their ability to really compete in the early season races bears fruit during those much later in the season.

As important as summer running is however, we have girls that haven't logged a mile since track or worse...since the season prior. They know this and so do we. We meet girls where they are at, but it sure makes the climb a lot more strenuous.

Anyone who tells you they love the erg is lying.

In my own experience as an athlete and maintaining physical fitness, I've noticed new and unique examples. One has come from a personal highlight for me this past year; I have been working out on a regular basis with a woman I (barely) coached when she was a rower at St. Ignatius. She went on to row at Cal. A regular component of our lifting sessions has been integrating sets on the rowing machine—the erg. One interval may be a 5 minute piece with 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off (or some combination). I have noticed that Sam has never forgotten her training. Ten seconds prior to rowing at full power, she gradually picks up the intensity, so much so that by the time we are "on" she is already at her mark. 

To me, this is striking analogy for anything we do that we want to do at our best. I try not to show up for class the minute the bell rings and expect my students to be ready and prepped for the lesson. I know this is why I was taught to pull out the kneeler and spend a little bit of time in prayer before the Mass begins; that exercise can put me in the right space for the communal celebration of the liturgy. I also think it would have served me well to spend a little time in preparation before the season of Lent begins.  Some of you know this as Mardi Gras and others as Carnival! We feast before the famine, we say goodbye to the flesh. Maybe I'm just making a push for Mardi Gras to extend far beyond South Louisiana and Mobile, AL and I am. 

I had the good fortune of teaching at Our Lady of Prompt Succor in White Castle, LA for two years in the Alliance for Catholic Education. My time in South Louisiana taught me that Mardi Gras wasn't a just a single day, but rather, it is a season. We would have slices of King Cake every Friday from the Feast of the Epiphany and a whole lot on Fat Tuesday. The next day, the celebratory colors of purple, gold and green were stripped down to one—just purple—which symbolizes repentance.

It's ridiculous how much I love King Cake...

It's hard not to know that Lent is about to begin when you have the culmination of a slightly hedonistic season one day prior. Some of us need to go big before we go home. Mardi Gras offers that opportunity. It's not the only way to prepare for Lent, but it's not a bad one.

Next year, I aim to go to Confession at least once after Christmas before Lent begins. A number of Catholic social media sites provide ample resources for prayer and thinking creatively about Lent. Lent is—after all—game time. Bring it.

I hope this Lent is a time of personal growth and holiness for you, and the whole world. 

Photo Credits
Lone Flower
The Erg
King Cake
Ash Wednesday taken by Paul Totah

What's good about "Good Friday?"

What’s good about “Good Friday?” It is my least favorite day of the liturgical year. I suppose it should be, considering the magnitude of what occurred over 2000 years ago. I struggle each year with how I should honor this holy yet somber day.

I know what I am called to do. This is one of the two high holy days of the year when Catholics fast—which permits two small meals and one full meal. We are to abstain from meat. I believe most Catholics, myself included, are total wimps when it comes to this traditional spiritual practice. Muslims fast for nearly a month during the high holy season of Ramadan. I will forever thank Hakeem Olajuwon for his strict observance of it, which occurred during virtually every season of his NBA career. It is a serious challenge for me, and I’m not even a professional athlete. His example inspires me.

Liturgically the Church offers no shortage of ways to celebrate the Lord’s Passion. My parish, St. Dominic’s began the day with Tenebrae. It also held Stations of the Cross, Seven Last Words, Confessions and concluded the day with the Liturgy of the Word, veneration of the Cross, and a Communion service. Each practice is colored by the burden of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. Each one evokes the reality of Christ’s suffering and death on the Cross. We leave in silence.

Whether or not I am at church mid-day, I try to be in silence from noon to three. I don’t spend the evening of Good Friday like other Fridays—no happy hour, no going out to dinner with friends. I hate to admit it, but it’s almost a relief when Good Friday has passed! So again, what’s good about Good Friday?

Lorne Hanley Duquin of Catholic San Francisco writes "In the English language the term “Good Friday” probably evolved from God’s Friday in the same way that “Good-bye” evolved from God be with you." I challenged myself to make this year’s Good Friday, God’s Friday.

I began the day working at Martin de Porres House of Hospitality. As I served hot steaming bowls of oatmeal I was delighted to hear “It’s Good Friday” more than I expected. To hear “Happy Good Friday” from our brothers and sisters on the street was a humbling experience. Many days are Good Fridays for them.

I went from Martin’s to Tenebrae, I fasted as best I could and concluded the day by joining a friend to see the documentary film, Bill Cunningham: New York. The New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham, a Catholic, has been obsessively and inventively chronicled fashion trends and high society charity soirées for the Times Style section in his columns “On the Street” and “Evening Hours.” The film was a portrait of "a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace." And the irony is that it was a tremendously poignant way to conclude Good Friday.

What could the story of a man who has dedicated his life to fashion possibly have to do with the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus? What could be more distant from our Lord's passion and death?

Cunningham’s success is largely because of what his eye can see. He sees clearly because he has eliminated most distractions from his life. He is not weighed down by cell phone, iPad or laptop. He navigates his bicycle through Manhattan as if it were a residential park. He is unaffected by wealth, class or privilege. His body of work bears witness to his belief "He who seeks beauty will find it."

And in a small way, I think this mantra applies to Good Friday. I feel challenged to seek the truth this day reveals, but also the beauty in it.

Some beauty is overt and easy to capture. For example, I was enamored with the gold lettered jerseys the San Francisco Giants wore on Opening Day. These special uniforms were to honor the World Series Championship and the accolades that continued into the 2011 season—the ring ceremony, raising of the Championship pennant, even the presentation of the “Rookie of the Year” award. But beauty can also be found in unlikely people and places, as Cunningham proves.

Martin de Porres at 6:15 a.m. is one of those unlikely places. On Good Friday, I found it as an African American man in his mid 20s asked me for his second bowl of oatmeal. Here before me was a man who had spent the night either in a shelter or on a street. He arrived cold, tired and hungry and yet he came for breakfast wearing the most striking yellow headband. For some reason, I paused and looked twice at him. His handsome face, his beard, this canary yellow headband. It served as tremendous visual reminder that the dignity of the human person is truly inherent. Life events and people may compromise it, but as my faith professes, it cannot and should not ever be taken away.

And that subtle truth reminds me of Christ on the cross. Crucifixion was so horrific a punishment, that the Romans ordered it to non-Romans alone. It sought to the eliminate the dignity of God made man, but Jesus triumphed.

Jesus hung in agony and despair for three hours and yet, he had the strength to forgive the “good thief.” With his own mother at the foot of the cross, He was able to order her future care and well-being to His beloved disciple John. He even had the ability to utter seven final words not of hate, but of surrender and grace. He said “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

The beauty of the cross is in a great many things, but I came to realize this Good Friday, that it rests particularly in the revelation of Christ’s human dignity until the very end. This year, Easter will only be that much more beautiful.

Photo Credits: 
Bill C
The Wood of the Cross
Giants Gold
Hakeem
Martins