Mastery of the Moment

Writing about that college homily yesterday reminded me of another speech that has stayed with me over the years. I’ve written about it before, but it’s worth revisiting—especially during Lent.

At my college graduation, Archbishop Lori of Baltimore spoke on a powerful idea:

“Mastery of the moment is mastery of life.”

Lent is full of small challenges. We fast a little. We give something up. Temptation creeps in. It’s easy to fixate on the finish line, thinking, How many days until Easter? But real growth happens when we focus on this moment—the one right in front of us.

Yes, I’m a little hungry. Yes, I feel tempted. Master this moment. Do that again in the next moment. And the next. Keep going, and you’ll be alright.

Holiness isn’t built in grand gestures—it’s formed in the simple, faithful mastery of each passing moment.