Like many people stuck at home, most of my time during lockdown is spent in front of the TV. With more spare time than ever before, I’m often caught up on what’s trending on Netflix or Disney+. People who know me know I have an appetite for films like John Wick or James Bond and their well-choreographed action sequences.

Just before Lent, as I sat on my couch and turned to Netflix for another movie night, part of me desired to have the same excitement spending time with the Lord as I do putting on an action movie. I pondered about how I spend hours marvelling at stunts and special effects, yet not as much time marvelling at God’s wonder through prayer.

What if, instead of trying to catch up on the latest shows, I tried to know more about the lives of the saints? And what if, instead of flipping through the movie selection on Netflix, I flipped through the pages of my Bible?

These thoughts inspired me to do things differently this Lenten season. I’ve started tuning into more Catholic content on Formed (also known as the “Netflix for Catholics”) as well as reading Scripture. That is to say I’m redirecting my passion to something that brings me closer to God.

For me this Lent, it’s less John Wick and more John the Apostle. By giving up my love for fast-paced action movies, I hope to slow down, learn something new about God, and be reminded of what I believe.

Thanks to a few streaming services, I’ve been able to acquaint myself with the stories of St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Maria Goretti; I’ve rewatched The Prince of Egypt and Paul, Apostle of Christ; and I’ve gotten to know more about Marian apparitions in Fatima.

What makes these films even more awe-inspiring and captivating than any action movie I’ve seen is knowing that there were no special effects, since they took place in reality. The common theme of the power of faith surely moved me.

Aside from changing my movie habits, I’ve begun the journey of listening to Fr. Mike Schmitz’s new podcast The Bible in a Year where he walks through the entire Catholic Bible in 365 days and provides commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way.

I recently finished the first three books of the Bible for the first time ever, and I came to realize that the Scriptures are God’s love in action. Every story reveals the heart of God as he moves through time and through his people. I almost couldn’t believe what I was missing out on!

There’s comfort in knowing that it’s never too late to start. Reading the Bible has not only helped me remember how good the Lord is, but it has also increased my love for him.

This season continues to call me out of spiritual dryness and into a deeper relationship with the Lord. I’ve allowed the Word of God to transform my heart and I pray that his Word remains effective in my life this Lent and beyond.

And while I’ll still be on the lookout for the latest movies and shows, I look forward to a different kind of action where God is the lead and the hero of the story.

Rina Lou is an avid food critic and cinephile. She works in the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s Communications Office as a graphic designer and TILMA coordinator.