Pope Francis. What a guy! He’s inspired a lot of Catholics who had given up on their church.

I’ve been trying to rack my brain about what to do for Lent; I don’t want it to turn into a diet or give up things I don’t really do anyway–I want to do something that actually matters!

I was scared to read this article about Pope Francis, because I knew he would suggest doing something most of us would be unwilling to do for Lent.

And he didn’t disappoint.

http://time.com/3714056/pope-francis-lent-2015-fasting/

He says:

Fasting must never become superficial (so much for giving up chocolate in the hopes of losing a few lbs).

No matter how much time you spend fasting, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.

And here’s the part I absolutely loved:

“whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.

We end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people’s pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this were someone else’s responsibility and not our own.”

I feel like giving up indifference towards others mirrors so perfectly my intention for 2016.

So for Lent, my pledge is to contact those organizations I networked with over the weekend and start volunteering.

I’m going to be outgoing to all my fellow commuters, to be aware of those in need and to offer my help.

I’m going to carry extra food or something warm so I can do a little to help those I see on the streets.

I’m going to donate to charities instead of buying things for myself.

I’m ready for Lent.

(Ok after writing all of this, I feel slightly gulity for taking a small vacation this week to a tropical paradise, but I promise I will not be indifferent to others on the beach!!!)