Every time I think about canceling my paid subscription because I really can’t afford it, you produce something like this. Brilliant. As I teeter on the edge of my 80th birthday, your essay provides a ton of meditation material. Thank you, I think.
This Ash Wednesday morning I asked God to show me what to work on during Lent. Your post is part of his answer as I am prone to despair also. Thanks for this.
Thank you Peachy. Thank you, thank you for a beautiful Ash Wednesday note. As usual this one brought me to tears. Tears of all types: despair, joy, sadness, hope and most importantly gratitude - for all the reasons you point out.
I think we’re together grieving what appears to be an encroaching loss of possibility. As can do Americans, there’s nothing we believe in more than the possible. These godless nihilists are zealously working to destroy the possible, and that makes us despair. You are not alone.
Giving up for Lent is something I regularly practice. Rather than wait for Lent I try to do it every day. It keeps me closer to the Lord.
Love and blessings to you Peachy and all of yours. ❤️🙏🏼
That's a Double Delight rose, isn't it? My favorite! Thank you for that bright spot this Ash Wednesday.
I am giving up my time to participate in a vigil in front of the local Planned Parenthood building, which is now empty and might soon go up for sale. (It will probably need an exorcism before anyone else takes up residence.)
What will I give up for Lent? Not bad things like "despair and negativity and blackpilling". That isn't fasting, it's repentance. And by all means it should be done.
But fasting as per Lent requires giving up something good. I'm going to follow the ancient Didache (from the First Century) this Lent and fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Gratitude is the “anti-despair”. Knowing that the battle is already won, yet we are called to fight on. The fields are CLEARLY ripe for the harvest!! Do not tire of doing good!!
I'm a creative type and struggle with discipline and routine. For Lent, in addition to giving up meat on Friday, I'll try to adopt the (vaguely monkish) practice of going to bed & getting up at the same time, seven days a week (instead of being all over the place, depending on the day). Thanks for another great essay.
Firstly, I'm Jewish but want to say you are a wonderful advocate/example of the Catholic faith. If I were to convert (unlikely), you make Catholicism very persuasive. Also, in Judaism, it is as well a sin to despair(though I was born and raised here in California and get it). God's says we don't have to finish the fight(He will) but we have to fight. This is one of the reasons I support you and others - you have a public voice in the fight so it's incumbent upon the rest of us to support you. God Bless.
Every time I think about canceling my paid subscription because I really can’t afford it, you produce something like this. Brilliant. As I teeter on the edge of my 80th birthday, your essay provides a ton of meditation material. Thank you, I think.
I will gift you a subscription today. Please keep reading, thank you Tim!
Update: you should now have a one year paid subscription, comped.
I am giving up news and saying the rosary everyday. Praying we can save St Philip’s church and school in Pasadena on Monday at City council. https://pasadenanow.com/main/guest-opinion-erika-foy-growth-must-fit-the-neighborhood
Wow, EXCELLENT Guest Opinion Column, Erika, very well written ! Good luck.
….now we know who is talented enough to sub in for Peachy when she goes on vacation.
I too am committed to saying the Rosary every day.
I am giving up X. That idol costs me so much time everyday.
Also, I will be adding you to my daily prayers that you are lifted from despair. We are not of this world. We have a greater life ahead!
This Ash Wednesday morning I asked God to show me what to work on during Lent. Your post is part of his answer as I am prone to despair also. Thanks for this.
Thank you Peachy. Thank you, thank you for a beautiful Ash Wednesday note. As usual this one brought me to tears. Tears of all types: despair, joy, sadness, hope and most importantly gratitude - for all the reasons you point out.
I think we’re together grieving what appears to be an encroaching loss of possibility. As can do Americans, there’s nothing we believe in more than the possible. These godless nihilists are zealously working to destroy the possible, and that makes us despair. You are not alone.
Giving up for Lent is something I regularly practice. Rather than wait for Lent I try to do it every day. It keeps me closer to the Lord.
Love and blessings to you Peachy and all of yours. ❤️🙏🏼
That's a Double Delight rose, isn't it? My favorite! Thank you for that bright spot this Ash Wednesday.
I am giving up my time to participate in a vigil in front of the local Planned Parenthood building, which is now empty and might soon go up for sale. (It will probably need an exorcism before anyone else takes up residence.)
What will I give up for Lent? Not bad things like "despair and negativity and blackpilling". That isn't fasting, it's repentance. And by all means it should be done.
But fasting as per Lent requires giving up something good. I'm going to follow the ancient Didache (from the First Century) this Lent and fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Gratitude is the “anti-despair”. Knowing that the battle is already won, yet we are called to fight on. The fields are CLEARLY ripe for the harvest!! Do not tire of doing good!!
Thank you peachy we needed that
I'm a creative type and struggle with discipline and routine. For Lent, in addition to giving up meat on Friday, I'll try to adopt the (vaguely monkish) practice of going to bed & getting up at the same time, seven days a week (instead of being all over the place, depending on the day). Thanks for another great essay.
Here is the campaign if you want to sign❤️ https://app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-page?cid=C0OKQz7pmPnE8fDlA7BSg
Wonderful transformation. Thanks. I think I'll give up a lost love.
Firstly, I'm Jewish but want to say you are a wonderful advocate/example of the Catholic faith. If I were to convert (unlikely), you make Catholicism very persuasive. Also, in Judaism, it is as well a sin to despair(though I was born and raised here in California and get it). God's says we don't have to finish the fight(He will) but we have to fight. This is one of the reasons I support you and others - you have a public voice in the fight so it's incumbent upon the rest of us to support you. God Bless.
What will I give up for Lent? Certainly not your column.
I'm Protestant. As far as I know, I don't have to give up anything, although the idea intrigues me.
As this was such a perfect column, I will go out and buy a copy of Domestic Extremist to help with the bills.
A touch of advice: move to Texas. Perhaps the Hill Country. I lived in California for 33 years. It's not worth the despair.
We can revel in the fact that we mothers and dads have done our part to bring new souls into existence, no despair in that!