Hey there, Spruits. Today is Ash Wednesday, 24, and I know I already released an episode this morning

about our martyr series starting. Hope you follow along and are inspired by the faith of the

martyrs this lent. But I decided to hit record and release a separate episode today because of something

that I want to personally challenge

each of you and your families to do this Lent.

And that is to focus on the heart of Jesus.

Now these might seem like two very separate things, Lent, the season of fasting, alms,

giving, and prayer, and then the sacred heart of Jesus.

But I want you to think about something.

All of these really good practices that we focus on in Lent, prayer, fasting and then caring for the poor by giving alms.

All of these really important things we do, the reason why we do them is critical.

It is hugely important.

In fact, Jesus himself says, don't be like the Pharisees, right? When you're

fasting, when you pray, to actually not do it just so that you can draw attention to yourself.

Now, whether we like to admit it or not, and this is true for adults and for children, it's hard

to do these things, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving with the right intention. Sometimes, you know,

we fast and we want other people to know we're really suffering or we give our time to serve

at the food kitchen and we want to post a picture everywhere so people can see what we're doing.

Now, those are good things, but the reason why we do these things is super important.

Now, we aren't perfect, but today on Ash Wednesday, as we begin our Lenton journey,

let's make sure that the reason why we are doing

these things is Jesus. Now to understand this a little bit more, the U.S. bishops a couple of years

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