The First Sunday of Lent sets the tone for everything that follows. This week calls us to examine where we are trying to take control instead of trusting God. From Adam and Eve to Jesus in the desert, we are reminded that the battle is not new — but neither is God's faithfulness.

Lent invites us to release the illusion of control and return to reliance on the One who gives us life.

The readings begin at the beginning — Adam and Eve in the Garden. Everything was good until the serpent introduced doubt and control into the conversation. The temptation was not just about fruit; it was about becoming "like God." It was about control, status, and self-determination.

Adam still had a chance. He could have surrendered. Instead, he chose selfish control.

But in the Gospel, we see the reversal. Jesus enters the desert and faces temptation head-on. Hungry, isolated, and vulnerable — yet He does not rely on ego, emotion, or worldly influence. He relies on the Word of God.

This week is about asking ourselves:
Where am I still trying to control what belongs to God?

Lent is about creating a clean temple — a heart open enough to allow God to dwell fully within us.

Adam and Eve choose control over trust. The conversation with the serpent begins the fall.

"Surely you will not die…"

Temptation often starts with conversation.

"Through one man sin entered the world…"

Adam's decision affected humanity — but Christ's obedience redeems it.

Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert and fights temptation with Scripture.

"One does not live on bread alone…"
"You shall not put the Lord your God to the test…"
"The Lord, your God, shall you worship…"

Jesus models surrender where Adam grasped for control.

Ash Wednesday invites us to begin again. Not halfway. Not casually. But with intention. The ashes remind us that everything in this world fades away. What does not fade is our relationship with God. This week is about letting go of whatever competes for our heart so that we can return to Him completely.

Overview

Ash Wednesday marks the start of our Lenten journey — and the first days are often the hardest. When the novelty wears off, so can our discipline. That is why this day calls us to roots, not just emotion.

Through the prophet Joel, we hear the call: "Return to me with your whole heart." Lent is not about temporary religious enthusiasm. It is about surrendering what binds us so that God can have all of us — not part of us.

The ashes on our forehead are not decoration. They are declaration. A visible reminder that everything in this world passes away, but our soul is eternal. This is the acceptable time. Now is the moment to be reconciled. Now is the moment to let go.

Scripture Focus

First Reading: Joel 2:12–18

"Return to me with your whole heart."

Joel reminds us that God desires fullness — not leftovers. He wants our whole heart, not divided loyalty.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2

"Be reconciled to God… Now is a very acceptable time."

Paul removes the excuse of delay. Not next week. Not when life slows down. Now.

Gospel: Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18

"When you fast… when you pray… when you give alms…"

Jesus teaches us to let go of pride and perform our sacrifices in secret. Lent is not for show — it is for surrender.

Letting Go Lenten Series with Greg Wasinski follows Year A of the Liturgical Cycle

Lent is not simply about giving something up — it is about choosing life. In this series, we reflect on how the readings call us to let go of what is false, harmful, or spiritually distracting so that we can grow closer to Christ. God has given us the freedom to choose between life and death, good and evil. When we release what weighs us down — excuses, compromise, fear, or sin — we open our hearts to receive something far more beautiful in return. Lent becomes not just a season of temporary sacrifice, but the starting point of lasting transformation.

Letting Go with Greg Wasinski, a Lenten Series for Year A of the Liturgical Cycle

Scriptures Referenced

Sirach 15:15–20

"Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him."

Matthew 5:33–37

"Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one."

Matthew 4:1–11 (Referenced through the desert imagery)

Jesus' 40 days in the desert and the reality of spiritual warfare.

Why I Am Catholic

Why stay Catholic in a divided Christian world?

In this deeply personal episode, Greg Wasinski and Jeff Stinson share their faith journeys — from doubt and anxiety to Eucharistic conviction and rediscovering the beauty of the Catholic Church.

They discuss:

• Converting from Protestantism

• Nearly leaving the Catholic Church

• The power of the Eucharist (John 6)

• Holy Saturday seasons of waiting

• The beauty of the Triduum

• The saints who shaped their faith

This isn't about winning arguments.
It's about finding home.

If you're questioning your faith, drifting, or searching for something deeper — this episode is for you.

Learn more at faithandreallife.com

What if penance isn't about guilt or punishment, but about love, freedom, and healing?
Penance is not about shame — it's about love.
Not about punishment — but participation.
Not about the past — but transformation.

In this episode of the Faith & Real Life Podcast, Greg Wasinski welcomes Fr. Jacob Bearer for an honest and pastoral conversation about penance — what it truly is and why it still matters today. Moving beyond the idea of penance as guilt or obligation, this discussion highlights the beauty of offering sacrifices outside of Confession through prayer, fasting, and intentional self-denial. Together, they reflect on how these practices unite us more closely to Christ, strengthen virtue, aid in the healing of souls, and draw us deeper into the life of the Church. A thoughtful and encouraging episode for anyone seeking a richer, more lived faith.

• CCC 1450 – The acts of the penitent

• CCC 1471 – Indulgences and the sacrament of penance

• CCC 1474 – The Communion of Saints

Fr. Jacob Bearer
Pastor, St. Edward & St. Lucy Parish
Parkman, Ohio
https://www.ssedwardlucy.com/
Diocese of Cleveland

Greg Wasinski is a full-time Catholic Christian Evangelist and Author who has traveled the country since 2009, sharing a message of hope through faith. He has presented in over 130 cities across 29 states and two countries. His podcasts and video blogs have been seen worldwide, inspiring others to commit more deeply to a relationship with God and helping the faithful better understand "why we believe what we believe." For more information, visit: www.GregWasinski.com

Trilogy Retreat Property is a 24-acre, bed-and-breakfast-style retreat property in Northeast Ohio. With five guest rooms, a two-acre lake, a guest cottage, a swimming pool, and an indoor hot tub, guests feel comfortable while allowing their souls to find rest and experience God in a new way. For more information, visit: www.Trilogy.center

Music provided by, and copyright, Michael James Mette – "Glimpses of You" www.MJM7.band

#ChristianPodcast#FaithAndRealLife #CatholicPodcast #Penance #Confession #CatholicFaith
#SpiritualGrowth #Evangelization #HopeAndHealing #FaithJourney #SpiritualFreedom #HopeAndHealing #BackToChurch

When someone you love is drifting, what's the most evangelical thing you can do? Say—and live—"I got your back." In this heartfelt conversation, Greg Wasinski and guest Miguel Chavez unpack the power of accompaniment: authentic friendship that stands with people in their restlessness, grief, questions, and return to God.

From airports full of people glued to phones to the quiet courage of making eye contact and asking, "Are you okay?", Greg and Miguel explore how clinging to God's grace changes what (and who) we cling to. They talk about Gen Z's search for meaning, why savoring faith matters in a fast-scroll world, and how story—not slogans—opens hearts. Miguel shares a recent health scare and the simple words that carried him: "We're here." Greg connects this to the One Initiative and preventative ministry—reaching people before the crisis. Together they revisit the woman at the well, lost sheep on the cliff's edge, and what it really means to be "good news" for someone else.

If you've been praying for a spouse, child, or friend to come home, this episode gives you language, hope, and a next step: be present, be patient, and keep saying, "I've got you."

Share this with someone who needs to hear they're not alone.

Greg Wasinski is a full-time Catholic Christian Evangelist and Author who has traveled the country since 2009, sharing a message of hope through faith. He has presented in over 130 cities across 29 states and two countries. His podcasts and video blogs have been seen worldwide, inspiring others to commit more deeply to a relationship with God and helping the faithful better understand "why we believe what we believe." For more information, visit: www.GregWasinski.com

Trilogy Retreat Property is a 24-acre, bed-and-breakfast-style retreat property in Northeast Ohio. With five guest rooms, a two-acre lake, a guest cottage, a swimming pool, and an indoor hot tub, guests feel comfortable while allowing their souls to find rest and experience God in a new way. For more information, visit: www.Trilogy.center

Music provided by, and copyright, Michael James Mette – "Glimpses of You" www.MJM7.band

#IGotYourBack #FaithAndRealLife #GregWasinski #MiguelChavez #TheOneInitiative #Evangelization #Accompaniment #AuthenticFriendship #ClingToGrace #LostSheep #Hope #Testimony #ChristianPodcast #CatholicPodcast #YoungAdults #PreventativeMinistry #SavorTheMoment #PutDownThePhone #RestlessHearts #WomanAtTheWell #MentalHealthAndFaith #RetreatLife #TrilogyRetreat #ComeBackToChurch

In this heartfelt episode of Faith & Real Life, Greg Wasinski welcomes special guest Millie Prebel to explore the power of life experiences in shaping who we are and how we live our faith. From unexpected turns to moments of grace, Millie shares personal stories of transformation, hope, and learning to trust in God through it all.

Millie's experience as a "Mimi" shares an interesting parallel with her path as a spiritual director trained in Ignatian Spirituality. Don't worry, this isn't a theological conversation, this is two friends talking life and faith - Mille was the original guest host of the Faith and Real Life Podcast in 2020-2021.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

• How our past prepares us for purpose
• Letting go of perfectionism in spiritual growth
• Finding peace in the process -
• Why your story matters

Subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. 📲 More inspiration at faithandreallife.com

"The illusion of leadership is to think we can be led out of the desert by someone who's never been there." - Henri Nouwen

Have you ever given everything you had—emotionally, spiritually, physically—only to find yourself dry, disconnected, and asking if you belong anymore? You're not alone.

In this deeply honest and uplifting episode, Catholic speaker and evangelist Greg Wasinski opens his heart about the very real struggles of spiritual fatigue. Whether you're a ministry leader, a church volunteer, or someone quietly sitting in the pews wondering if you're the only one feeling numb—this is the conversation you need.

🔹 Greg explores the powerful difference between being burnt out, worn out, or churched out, and what each one truly means.

🔹 He shares biblical wisdom, including the story of Elijah, and personal revelations from his 16-year ministry journey.

🔹 Discover practical steps to renew your soul, reconnect with your purpose, and let God nurse you back to spiritual health.

🔥 If you're tired of feeling exhausted by the very thing that once gave you life, this episode is your reminder: You're not alone. You're not broken. And God still has more for you.

There comes a time in life, regardless of certain situations, that our hearts and minds lose their shine because of humanness. Possibly it's our fault for taking on too much. Maybe, life has just put circumstances before us that wear us down. Even in the church, it can stop being worship and turn into mere attendance, or worse, a burden.

Greg Wasinski helps us identify these stages of struggle and then gives us practical tips to overcome them. Greg's own story of experiencing these very things while in ministry shows us that we are not alone, and we are not broken when they happen to us.

Greg Wasinski is a full-time Catholic Christian Evangelist and Author who has traveled the country since 2009, sharing a message of hope through faith. He has presented in over 130 cities across 29 states and two countries. His podcasts and video blogs have been seen worldwide, inspiring others to commit more deeply to a relationship with God and helping the faithful better understand "why we believe what we believe." For more information, visit: www.GregWasinski.com

Trilogy Retreat Property is a 24-acre, bed-and-breakfast-style retreat property in Northeast Ohio. With five guest rooms, a two-acre lake, a guest cottage, a swimming pool, and an indoor hot tub, guests feel comfortable while allowing their souls to find rest and experience God in a new way. For more information, visit: www.Trilogy.center

Music provided by, and copyright, Michael James Mette – "Glimpses of You" www.MJM7.band