Men, Start Your Lent Right

     Return to Jesus now gentlemen while you can. How many of you can honestly say that you have Jesus in your life? How many of you are married? How many of you have children? How many of you can say that you place those people, in that order, ahead of yourself and your needs? I’d dare to say that most of you will answer no to the last question and if not, you are either lying or are the perfect version of what a man should be, and that is highly doubtful. I have Jesus in my life and am I perfect? Far from it. Will I ever be perfect? Only in death. But while I am alive and here on earth, it is my responsibility to Jesus, my bride, my children, and anyone else that I serve to bring forth the best version of myself and to give them all of me, total surrender. Is it easy? No. I fail at it most of the time every day, but I don’t run from it anymore, I don’t ignore that responsibility anymore. I own up to my mistakes, my daily faults, and I continue to work through them. I have one daily goal gentlemen and I ask you to take on the same goal. I make a promise to myself that I will be a better person today than I was yesterday. That is a promise that each of you should be able to keep.

The first step is returning to Jesus if you haven’t so already. 45 years old. That’s how old I was when I returned to Jesus and His Church. Let’s look at that number and be real about it. 45 years. That is probably more than half my life. When you think about it, most men only live to be 75 years old in the U.S. I spent morethan half my life as a lost soul, doing what I thought was best for me only to realize that I was miserable. Things were going great for me back then. I had a beautiful bride (still do), well mannered children (still do) and a thriving business. But like I said, I was miserable. There was one thing that was missing in my life, and I knew what or rather who it was, but my pride kept me from Him. My bride volunteered with the altar society at our parish and would go decorate the Church during the change of seasons. During one of those days in November of 2012, my bride invited me to go. Usually, I say no but this time I went. As she was arranging flowers, I knelt in front of the tabernacle in the first pew. I still remember what I said, “Lord Jesus Christ. I’m tired. I’m tired of living my life for myself and not feeling fulfilled. If you would allow me to do so, I would like to live my life for you. Please send the Holy Spirit down upon me and guide my steps. Amen.” Mine was an instant change. Immediately I felt something come over me and I cried. I cried like I hadn’t cried in decades. But they were tears of joy, gladness, and healing. That started me on the journey that I’m on and will be on until I die.

Since that day in November 2012, I have had many ups and downs, just like I would’ve before this took place. But the difference now was that I had Jesus and let me tell you, that changed everything. I had a lot of rough edges that Christ has had to sand, I still have some, but I have seen how much simpler life has been since returning to Christ and His Church. It sounds cliché but, had I known life could be this easier and make much more sense than before, I would’ve done this a long time ago. But my heart wasn’t there during those early years, and I thought that I could handle life on my own. Where is your heart today gentlemen? Are you still determined that you can handle all that life throws you and that you don’t need any help? “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. He died for you. He knew how broken and messed up you are, how I was, and still, he took up his cross, climbed his way up to Golgotha, and was crucified for our sins. Yes, you’ve heard this a million times before, but this time don’t just read what I’m saying, let your heart listen; Jesus died for me. Jesus died for me. Jesus died for me. Let it permeate into your soul. If you are doing so and it’s making you feel bad or guilty, great! You are allowing the Holy Spirit to touch you and are beginning an intimate relationship with Jesus.

But don’t stop there. Go big or go home. Go all the way. You don’t have to say the same words that I did, or you can, but ask Jesus to come into your life. Allow Him to show you how much simpler life can be with Him leading you. Set your fears and reservations aside. I know what you are thinking, “This is going to change me completely.” And you are right. But it will change you for the better. Trust me. You will still bring those bad habits and vices into your relationship with Christ but, he will show you how to overcome those vices and turn those bad habits into habits that help build his kingdom here on earth. I still have some of my vices come up here and there, especially my cussing, but that doesn’t make me less Catholic than the next person. That doesn’t make Jesus love me less than the next person. It reminds me that I am human and that if it weren’t for the grace of God, I wouldn’t be here. I confess my sins, I do my penance, and I get back to living my life for Christ, the best way that I can.

Lent is the perfect time to make that return to Jesus gentlemen. What a better time than now to be like the prodigal son and return to your father who has never turned his back on or taken his eyes off of you. This is your time to pick up your cross, embrace it, carry it, and die to yourself. If you’ve fallen off the path and need to get back on it, this is your time to do it. When times get tough and you feel that you can’t carry your cross any longer, ask Jesus to help you carry it. But now is the time to return to Jesus and build a relationship with him. “There is no tomorrow! There is no tomorrow!” Apollo Creed from Rocky III. For what it’s worth, I will be posting articles throughout lent to guide us and point us in the direction of Jesus and His teachings. May this be the beginning of a new life for you through Jesus Christ.

Buen Camino Brothers!