I’ve spent far too many years overcomplicating my Lenten journey, as though I were training for the spiritual Olympics. “No pain, no gain” was my motto. One year, I set my alarm for 4:30 a.m. intending to spend an hour in centring prayer. In reality, I woke up only to take a nap.

Another year, I went on a silent retreat during Holy Week hoping to learn more about Jesus’ suffering. Instead, I discovered that I am not above lying to nuns and sneaking into the woods to phone a friend.

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Two degrees, multiple courses and many years of ministry later, my spiritual breakthrough came unexpectedly from Oprah Winfrey. In a 2023 conversation with Michelle Obama, Winfrey recounted inviting Obama to brunch and telling her to bring a few close friends. Expecting one or two extra people, she was surprised........

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