Lent without the Last Word: What Pulling Back from Politics Taught Me about Christ

By Brea O’Donnell

This year, I gave up something different for Lent: political commentary.

No Instagram stories. No debating headlines. No reposting soundbites from people who usually say it better than I could. I didn’t stop caring... I just stopped engaging.

As a conservative and a Catholic, politics aren’t just a hobby for me. They shape how I see the world, how I vote, and how I hope for the future. But this Lent, I felt a quiet nudge from the Holy Spirit to lay it all down for a while. Because instead of lifting my heart, it had started to harden it. So I stepped back from the noise and answered the call to stillness.

And here’s what I learned: silence sharpens your convictions. It doesn’t weaken them. At first, it felt unnatural, like I was abandoning the cause. But what I realized over time is that there’s a difference between being vocal and being obedient. And during Lent, I wasn’t called to win arguments. I was called to follow Christ. To enter into His suffering. To allow room for humility, quiet, and reflection.

It was humbling to notice how often I reached for commentary as a way to assert control. I used political content as a shield, something to post when I didn’t want to be vulnerable. Something that felt powerful when I actually felt small. And maybe the hardest part to admit? Sometimes I used politics to feel righteous, instead of turning to the only One who actually is.

This Lenten season has reminded me that Jesus didn’t come to dominate the conversation. He came to lay His life down. He stood silent before Pilate. He asked forgiveness for those who persecuted Him. He is Truth, and He didn’t need validation from strangers on the internet to prove it.

That realization has softened me. Not in a way that makes me passive, but in a way that makes me more loving and at peace. It’s possible to care deeply about our country and culture while still anchoring ourselves in something higher. We can stay firm in our values without becoming hardened in spirit.

This year’s fast made room for something I didn’t expect: deeper prayer. Without the constant scroll and stimulation, I found myself sitting in bed a little longer, enjoying Scripture. I was more present at Mass. My heart was quieter, but my spirit felt steadier. And as Easter approaches, I realize it isn’t a political renewal I’m longing for, it’s spiritual resurrection. The kind of joy that doesn’t require public applause or community feedback to feel real.

Something else happened during this time. I found that conversations with people I love grew more tender. Without the constant temptation to share or react to controversy, there was more room to listen, to laugh, and to talk about beauty, faith, and life. I remembered how good it feels to simply be present without needing to prove a point.

It’s a quieter reflection, but I believe one that speaks to many of us navigating how to live boldly as conservatives without losing the interior stillness of our faith. We don’t need to be loud to be firm. And we don’t have to be constantly reactive to remain rooted in truth.

Now, as we move into Easter and beyond, I carry that stillness with me. I’m not abandoning my beliefs politically or religiously. But I am being more intentional about when and how I speak.

Because I’ve learned that silence can be powerful. And peace can be persuasive.

We live in a world where everyone wants to have the last word. But this year, Lent reminded me that the only Word that matters is the one that became flesh and died for me. And I want to live the rest of the year honoring Him... not just with my beliefs, but with my heart.

I don’t know what conversations the rest of the year will bring. But I do know this, if my heart stays tethered to Christ, my voice will follow. And whether I speak loudly or not at all, I can trust that truth doesn’t need to shout to be known.

Brea O’Donnell is a lifelong Catholic and conservative, born and raised in Connecticut and now based in South Florida. She’s passionate about faith, femininity, and preserving what is true and beautiful in culture. You can find her on Instagram at @breaodonnell.