A few days before he was appointed archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Bishop Joe Vásquez and I recorded what was supposed to be the Bishop’s Interview on Lent for the March issue of Catholic Spirit. Well, a few days later when the appointment came, the March issue had to be completely rearranged, and the bishop’s Lent interview was shelved. However, there were a few gems from Bishop Vásquez that I wanted to share with you since we are still in Lent.

Because I am a chronic list maker, this quote from Archbishop Vásquez hit me hard:

“During Lent, we ask the Lord to show us those areas where we need to be converted to become more like Christ. We don’t want Lent to be a season of checking off a list; instead, we want it to be a season of conversion. It is a time to open the soul and the heart so that God can speak more clearly to us and show us how we can move closer to him.”

And because I am still learning how to sit quietly in prayerful conversation with God, I loved this quote:

“Spending time in prayer is always a blessing for us. God longs for us to spend more time with him in prayer. He longs for us to tell him the desires of our hearts and to listen for his voice in sacred silence.”

Archbishop Vásquez concluded his interview with this prayer:

“During these 40 days of Lent, may we grow in holiness and become the persons that God wants us to be. May we seek to be a reflection of Jesus Christ in the world today. Amen,” he said.

As we finish out this Lent and prepare for the Triduum and the glory of Christ’s resurrection, let us continue to strive to put God in the center of our lives.