What does a Lenten sacrifice involve?  Let's face it -- for many of us the answer is little or nothing and the more relevant question that comes to mind is, why bother?  This year I had the opportunity to take a serious look at the subject of making a Lenten sacrifice as I prepared for my guest homilist role on the first Sunday in Lent.  This article invites you to join me in my effort.

Last week the theme of the lessons was "Come and see" -- the potential disciples, in the story in John's Gospel, said to Jesus, "Rabbi, where are you staying," and Jesus said, "Come and see".... Today's reading from Matthew's gospel is also about being called - and in fact the whole structure of the Bible really depends on these hundreds and hundreds of stories in which people are called by God in one way or another. Today the theme is follow me. Jesus encounters Peter and Andrew fishing by the Sea of Galilee and says that to them -- follow me - and then he calls James and John -- and "immediately," we are told, they just get up from what they're doing and follow.

It's Tuesday. You've gotten up early, had a cup of Starbuck's, and read the Express on your Metro trip to work. You had a laugh reading the humor column. It's a gorgeous day outside. You get to the office, and begin your day. Everything is going so well, then-BAM!-something happens that throws a kink in the system. Maybe it's something you forgot to do yesterday, and now you're sweating to get it done. Maybe you get the "blue screen of death" and lose the work you've been doing for the last hour. Or worse...maybe your boss tells you that it's your last day and that you should pack your things.