We’ve come so far, yet there is still progress to be made. We must recognize the significance of being an informed voter and actively exercise that sacred right.

Furthermore, for many religious denominations, March also marked the beginning of our Lenten Journey. I want to share a specific portion of the sermon given by Father Walsh, at mass on Ash Wednesday.

Below is an excerpt from the homily:

“And the second work that Jesus commends to us at the beginning of this holy season is fasting. Fasting from food purifies the body, but it purifies the soul as well…because our bodies and souls are intrinsically united. We can’t discipline our souls unless we first discipline our bodies. And so by ridding ourselves of excess, whether the excess be an excess of food or alcohol or television or the internet, we begin to experience a hunger, and that hunger in turn can become hunger for God. You see, any voluntary act of self-denial (whether it be fasting from food or some other form of penance) has the capacity to refocus our human passions and desires. And those passions are like a fire. When they are focused on God, our passions give energy, direction, intensity to our lives. But when our passions are unfocused or uncontrolled or when they are focused on the wrong things, … then they burn out of control recklessly and kill and destroy our souls. When we undertake voluntary penance out of love for God, we find that the cravings we originally experienced eventually yield to joy and peace, as we are filled with God’s presence.”

This particular homily embodied a powerful message about our Mind, Body and Soul. Throughout this Lenten season, I plan to remind myself that “our bodies and souls are intrinsically united, and we can’t discipline our souls unless we first discipline our bodies.” I plan to remind myself of this message and particularly this segment over the next 40 days and throughout the upcoming year. There’s much to be learned from discipline, which is self-control, restraint and correction.

May your days of March be filled with beautiful sunshine, walks outside, and a sense of peace. Let’s pray that March brings Louisiana some cool-weather days before the inevitable summer heat arrives.

Best,