Seek Truth This Lent, plus what to read

Forgive me for adding to the noise about “things to do this Lent,” so close to Ash Wednesday. But if you’re like me (aka a procrastinator), you may still be working on “what do to” for this season.

This is not a “40 things to give up” list. This is an invitation to consider a more fervent pursuit of truth over the next several weeks (how about forever?).

What if we seek TRUTH this Lent?

What if, instead of “doom-scrolling”, ranting and raving on social media, and complaining about gas prices (apologies to my kids for the daily lamenting I’ve been doing), we pursue truth?

I don’t mean online searches for the data that fits our side of the story. I don’t mean digging for scientific studies to disprove other studies we disagree with.

I don’t mean researching the history of world conflicts and border wars, and I certainly don’t mean that we attempt to become “experts” in anything.

We will find some truth in searches and studies, and having solid knowledge about world events does have merit over being an ignoramus, but all this is still lacking.

What I mean is to seek the fullness of truth over all the conflicting information misinformation, retracted and redacted information, and confusing information.

Nothing can be discerned well if we aren’t first grounded in the source of truth.

We are all called to live a life aligned with what is true.

Doing so is nearly impossible if we’re not grounded in the source of truth. If we’re trying to find what is true from the news media or social media, we’ll fail. Books and blogs won’t help much either, because every author writes with a bias (myself included, please don’t ever take me as an expert!).

I feel so strongly that we need to get back to the source.

Jesus is the Source of Truth.

Lenten penances and practices aren’t about pruning away the junk we’ve added to our plates and our minds, just because. It’s about pruning away this junk in prayer and with the Lord so that we are more closely united to Jesus.

So here again is my invitation to pursue Truth this season. Prune away the junk from google and social media, and dig into the Word.

Maybe you’re not giving up social media (I’m not, but do plan on limiting my time there), but can we hit “pause” on reposting the latest hot-take? Say a prayer, asking for wisdom and charity before logging in? Put the icons for our social media in a folder and turn off notifications, so they’re not taunting you. I did that months ago, and it’s been so lovely to be rid of those annoying notices.

Why dig deeper?

Why not? We can always grow in our understanding of truth, we can always grow closer to Jesus’ Sacred Heart. And that’s the point! Sainthood is the goal, right? We need to be steeped in the truth to live fully, to discern the best way forward in this crazy time, to be who He made us to be.

I’m convinced that nothing else matters (I mean, it does matter to keep doing the duties in front of us, don’t get wrong). Nothing else is as important as knowing who the Lord is, and who we are to Him. Everything else flows from that. Being immersed in the Word is to be in His presence and to form our hearts to be like His. And from that, we know how to live in this world. From a foundation of prayer and knowing Him who is the Truth, we know who we are and what unique life the Lord is calling us to live.

As Catholic Christians, living in the truth is our duty. Our lives should reflect Christ’s love and light to the world, and that’s only possible when we first ground ourselves in Him.

Seek truth and find peace.

Arguably, this is still challenging. I’d be lying if I said that life is all roses and butterflies once you start reading the Bible more and seeking God in your life. It’s simply not true, but what is true is that Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14), and since His promises are true, we have a lot to look forward to in hope. That’s a different kind of peace than we’ll find from the world, and it’s a kind I’m not good at describing. You’ll know it, though. You’ll know it when you find that you have the strength for hard things, when you realize that Jesus might not be taking the struggle away, but He’s definitely present and with you for every moment. You’ll know His peace when you start to notice small consolations and graces, when one verse lights you up from inside and you feel as though those words were meant just for you at just that moment. (It’s because they are!).

What to read?

I couldn’t leave you without some suggestions. It’s silly and overwhelming to suggest that you “seek truth” and turn you towards the Bible without making it simple.

• One Gospel, slowly. My favorite is John’s Gospel.
• You could start the Bible in a Year podcast.
• Subscribe to the Blessed is She emails to read the daily Mass readings + a devotion.
• Pray with the Psalms.
• Read one or two of Saint Paul’s letters. They’re rich in encouragement.
• Memorize Scripture to pray with.

Just a few minutes a day. The daily readings don’t usually take more than 10 minutes.

Are you in? I’d love to hear about what you read. I made a phone wallpaper for you, also. It has a Psalm you can learn and pray with. Click the image below to be taken to the download.