The death of cultural icon Lawrence Ferlinghetti on Monday reminds us of the many artists and writers he influenced and was influenced by—including Thomas Merton.

Life is just a very terrible thing at times, and Christ knew it and we know it and the church seems to know it. The church is something that deals, quite unflinchingly, in reality.

A conversation with author and spiritual master Father Richard Rohr from the Jesuitical podcast

At the same time I haven’t been recognizing beauty every time it is before me, I also haven’t been recognizing God. What if those disconnects are related?

After a year in which we have already given up so much, one could be forgiven for asking: Do we really need to give up chocolate, too?

You’re not alone this Lent.