Wednesday in the First Week of Lent

“Water is also one of God's four elements, the most beautiful of God’s creations. It is both wet and cold, heavy, and with a tendency to descend, and flows with great readiness." - John of Damascus

(If you’re wondering why these daily offerings are accompanied by photos of waves, it’s because of an old surfing adage: You learn something from every wave. We like to think we learn something from every day of Lent, too.)

Anyone would agree that it’s a ridiculous pursuit for a 65-year-old man. There are few in the surf at mid-day who are my age; the …