“It’s about stepping into small, daily challenges that rub up against our weaknesses,” Fr. Columba Jordan explains, “and learning to meet God right there.”
Crux: A Lenten Journey of Surrender
I recently had the privilege of previewing Ascension’s new Lenten program, “Crux: A Lenten Journey of Surrender,” and I can’t wait to share it with my priest and parish family. Here’s why:
— The daily readings contained in the book “Crux: Daily Lenten Meditations” are simple yet deep, and very often profound.
— The free weekly accompanying videos (available on the Ascension App) by Fr. Columba Jordan CFR are inspirational, insightful, and funny. Fr. Jordan is an Irish priest from “Called to More,” the largest Catholic social media ministry in Ireland and the UK.
— The daily inspirational videos (also hosted by Fr. Jordan and available on the Ascension App for $4.99 for a 90-day trial), along with a faux leather-bound “Crux” journal, are additional ways to deepen the 40-day journey.
Of course, one doesn’t have to utilize every single one of these resources in order to partake in the program. But after checking out how simple and beautiful each “Crux” element is, I highly recommend them all.
Physical And Spiritual Disciplines
Inspired by a holistic view of the body and soul, “Crux” centers around two physical and two spiritual disciplines per day. Integrating the disciplines with body and soul reinforces the message of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your body is a temple* of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.”
The physical disciplines include a dietary fast and some sort of specific, intentional physical exercise. The spiritual disciplines include prayer, a daily meditative Scriptural reading, and a nightly examination of conscience. A few specific prayers for the spiritual disciplines could be to reflect on the Daily Reading, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Rosary, or Morning Offering every day.
While the physical disciplines are not prescribed by the “Crux” program and are left to the participant’s discretion, a few “Crux” Ambassadors will share their often simple plans for dietary fasting and exercise on the Ascension App. “Crux” Ambassadors are men and women at various stages of life who will offer words of encouragement during the Lenten Season.
One ambassador, for example, plans to give up all sweets on certain days of the week and to take her morning walk without headphones in order to better hear the voice of God. The goals here are to execute small, chosen physical disciplines and to create a hunger that turns the heart back to Jesus.
Some additional fun ideas for the physical disciplines include incorporating skipping into your walk (great for cardio as well) and getting your blood pumping by dancing for 15 minutes a day to Christian music.
The daily spiritual disciplines are explicitly guided by the “Crux” program and include daily Scripture reading and praying the Examen. My biggest takeaway after sampling several of these passages and video messages is that I sense “Crux” is going to be a journey where I’d better learn to turn into the various challenges and crosses I’m already facing in my life — rather than running away from them.
Whether it be raising teenagers or battling loneliness and insomnia, perhaps Jesus is calling me to approach these crosses with a new spirit of surrender and with the hope that He will meet me in a deeper way in my painful moments. I have the feeling this journey will be far more meaningful than simply giving up a temporal pleasure or two.
Fr. Jordan sums up the essence of “Crux” in the short film found on the center of the program’s home page: “It’s not about running your fastest mile or lifting a bunch of weights or starving yourself. [“Crux”] is about consistency. It’s about stepping into small, daily challenges that rub up against our weaknesses — the place we would rather avoid — and learning to meet God right there.”
Ascension designed “Crux” with distinct experiences for individuals to go through the challenge on their own and for parishes or small groups to take on the challenge together. Both the program for individuals in the Ascension app and the bulk-ordered Daily Lenten Meditations book for parishes and small groups are currently discounted.
So, check out “Crux” at Ascension, ascensionpress.com/Crux, and make this Lent a journey of surrender you won’t forget!
About the Author: Sarah Robsdottir is a Catholic Convert and a homeschooling mom of seven sons. Her latest Young Adult novel Joan of Arkansas is now available at Voyage Publishing. Keep up with her at www.sarahrobsdottir.com.
Image: Photo by Kamil Szumotalski on Unsplash
