When we come up with our Lenten sacrifices, they can easily end up a little bit self-serving at the same time.

We give up "eating out." But, well, we wanted to save some money (or calories) anyway. We give up smoking, but we know we shouldn't be smoking so much anyway. We give up Facebook, but we know we spend too much time on Facebook already. Etc.

These aren't bad Lenten sacrifices. But there is an easy way to make such a sacrifice even better.

Take the money you would have spent on eating out or smoking or whatever it is and…give it away instead. Take the time you would have spent doing those things and instead spend that time in prayer. And rather than thinking about your own...READ MORE

Chad Vella (Boston, MA) asks about the relationship between the beauty of our faith and the joy that we feel as a result. Fr. Barron shares a wise tip about the best way to seek joy (and to help others find it, too)!

Check it out. Short and sweet this week:

View the entirety (so far) of my Ask Fr. Barron series by clicking here.

This week Paige Rees (from the amazing and talented L'Angelus) asks Fr. Barron about music and it's impact it can have on our personal piety. Fr. Barron provides some great wisdom on the power of music and the way it shapes us.

View the entirety (so far) of my Ask Fr. Barron series by clicking here.

What do you think about how music (liturgial and otherwise) impacts our personal piety and holiness? Please comment below.

This week's question for Fr. Barron comes from Fr. James Martin (of America Magazine and so many other things). It's an extremely relevant question and Fr. Barron provides some great wisdom for helping Catholics deal with those hot-button social issues (and any other teachings) they may disagree with.

It's particularly a great lesson for anyone who wants to help people who struggle with various teachings of the Church.

View the entirety (so far) of my Ask Fr. Barron series by clicking here.

What would you say to somebody who is struggling with some of the things the Church teaches? Please comment below.

This week's question for Fr. Barron comes from Mike Hayes of BustedHalo.com. And you're going to get a great list of the great books throughout history that every Catholic should read.

Get ready to make some serious additions to your reading list!

What are some other books that you would add to the list? Please comment below.

View the entirety (so far) of my Ask Fr. Barron series by clicking here.

This week's question for Fr. Barron comes from Dr. Paul Camarata - a neurosurgeon and host of the SaintCast podcast. Having experienced miracles first hand in his own line of work, Dr. Camarata asks the simple, yet profound, question of "what is a miracle?"

Fr. Barron's answer doesn't disappoint and offers one particular insight that made me think about miracles in a whole new way. Love it.

What do you think? Comment below.

View the entirety (so far) of my Ask Fr. Barron series by clicking here.

This week's question for Fr. Barron comes from Jeff Miller (The Curt Jester - splendoroftruth.com). He notes Blessed John Henry Newman's claim that "to be deep in history is to cease to be protestant." And then asks if there's any truth to applying the same idea to, not just protestantism, but secularism also.

Check out Fr. Barron's response and discuss amongst yourselves (below):

What do you think?

View the entirety (so far) of my Ask Fr. Barron series by clicking here.

Awhile ago I asked some well-known Catholics (including you all) what they'd like to ask Fr. Barron. Well Fr. Barron answered. So I'll be doing a little series here for awhile called "Ask Father Barron" where we'll get to experience these questions and answers. Will be fun!

Today's question comes from Fr. Reed at CatholicTV.com. He asks Fr. Barron what he thinks the single most important thing is that we can do to build up the life of the Church - particularly in the parish. It's such a great question. Fr. Barron has an equally great and simple answer.

Here it is:

What do you all think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

View the entirety (so far) of my Ask Fr....READ MORE