• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Do nothing for Lent

February 18, 2021
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Many years for Lent I take on too many goals and give up too many things. A few days into Lent, I invariably realize I have failed at everything I planned to give up and take on.

This year I’m trying to do less. In fact, I’m trying to do more of nothing. And it might be the hardest thing to take on.

I’m not very good at doing nothing.

I sit down for a minute to relax and pick up my laptop to check one thing—and spend hours on a project.

I pause for a minute to myself and I think of a message I need to send to a colleague or friend.

I head toward the couch and notice the finches could use fresh water in their cage.

One of the children asks me to heat a can of soup and, while I’m waiting in the kitchen, I launch into some other cooking endeavor.

I’ve always liked to be busy. But my pandemic self has somehow ended up in overdrive. There’s always something to take care of, something more to be accomplished. But I’m going to try to set that aside for Lent. I’ll still have lots of things to do. Work doesn’t get done on its own. Dinner doesn’t cook itself. But I also want to carve out some time for nothing. I’m going to try to find a little stillness.

Maybe it will be on a walk.

Maybe it will be while spending time with our finches.

Maybe it will be just sitting on a chair without anything electronic nearby.

God is with each of us every day, of course. I feel His presence, even at the busiest moments. But I think some days that although I know God is with me, I don’t always take the time to give Him my focus and attention. Life is so chaotic and full that I’m missing opportunities to connect with Jesus.

So, this Lent I’m trying to make a little time for less activity and busyness. I’m hoping that if I make time for a little more peace, I’ll make more space for God.

Will I be successful? I don’t know. Here goes nothing.

Copyright © 2021 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Rita Buettner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

How to grow in faith for back-to-school

New law will help families access America’s Catholic schools

Our faith is not afraid of questions

Artificial Intelligence, wholeism and prayer

Question Corner: Does reception of the Eucharist replace confession?

| Recent Local News |

Grillo Family Reflection Space

Loyola University Maryland receives $1 million gift supporting aspiring educators, creation of reflection space

Sister Miriam Jansen, former director of international programs at Notre Dame of Maryland, dies at 86

Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Men’s religious leaders confront change with fraternity and faith

Sister Rose Sylvia Lindner, S.S.N.D., dies at 91

Radio Interview: The true story of ‘Xavier Rynne’

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Loyola University Maryland receives $1 million gift supporting aspiring educators, creation of reflection space
  • Festival of digital missionaries celebrates faithful witness in the digital age
  • Sister Miriam Jansen, former director of international programs at Notre Dame of Maryland, dies at 86
  • Movie Review: ‘Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight’
  • New law will help families access America’s Catholic schools
  • Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon
  • How to grow in faith for back-to-school
  • US prelates head to Japan on ‘Pilgrimage of Peace’ amid nuclear fears old and new
  • World will hear young people’s joy, shouting for peace on earth, pope says

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en