A Catholic comedian explains Lent, Ramadan and the ways we prove our piety.

Lent is a humble descent both inwards and towards others. It is about realizing that salvation is not an ascent to glory, but a descent in love.

We have a cycling liturgical year because the truths of our faith are larger than we can receive all at once. Perhaps ashes say it best, but even they can’t say it all, not all at once.

Metanoia is deeper than repentance. It’s a wholesale turning around, a re-orientation of everything.

‘I don’t think I have the bandwidth this year. I’m just going to try to be a patient mom and get everyone through this.’

After a year in which we have already given up so much, one could be forgiven for asking: Do we really need to give up chocolate, too?