While the church teaches that baptism is indeed necessary for salvation, God does not need us to complete a ritual in order to care for our children.

Where else would we have listened to each other this way? Not online these days. Not at a school board meeting. Not at a political debate. Not at a family gathering. Not even in church.

What is it that draws so many people to a church’s pews week after week?

Do we actually believe in the idea of having fish on Fridays as a form of self-mortification or solidarity with those who have less? Or do we look at it more like paying our taxes — giving up the least possible amount?

I do not have time to go to the church’s rosary for peace in Ukraine, but I go anyway. I have to do something, even though I feel like my small gesture will amount to nothing.

A good rule of thumb for Lent: Be childlike, not childish.