Larry Rodwell receives ashes from Father Paul Bonacci during an Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Pius X Church in Rochester, N.Y., Feb. 18. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. (CNS photo/Mike Crupi, Catholic Courier)

What is your Lenten resolution or undertaking? Are you giving something up or taking something on? Does it involve food or drink? Are you making any particularly elaborate efforts to give alms, pray, and fast? 

I would appreciate reader input. I feel as though my Lenten promises are too routine, or too unimaginative. I'm hoping some crowdsourcing will freshen up my spiritual practice. Thank you in advance!

Matt Emerson's essays have appeared in a number of publications, including America, Commonweal, and the Wall Street Journal. The Catholic Press Association named his September 2012 essay "Help Their Unbelief," published in America, as the "best essay" in the category of national general interest magazine for 2012. He is the author of the book Why Faith? A Journey of Discovery (Paulist Press 2016).Articles:Fruitful Searching (Jan. 5-12, 2015)Preambles for Faith (May 13, 2013)Help Their Unbelief (Sept. 10, 2012)Posts at The Ignatian Educator