At the risk of sounding like a broken, Catholic record, this Lent I challenge you to embark on a spiritual quest of epic proportaions by beginning J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved series, The Lord of the Rings. For those outside of the 25% in our Family who have likely already read it, I'm guessing that you may have a number of questions popping up in your head. "Isn't The Lord of the Rings filled with elves, wizards, and trolls?" Yes, and orks, too! "How am I supposed to get something out of this series when it's for children?" While it is a faerie-story, Tolkien himself would argue that many fantastic tales are unfairly relegated to the nursery though they contain truths for all people. And perhaps most predominantly "why would this be a catechetical recommendation, especially for Lent?" While not allegorical like C.S. Lewis' series The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings is an intrinsically Catholic story that features Christological (or Christ-like) characters, allusions to the sacraments, and an overarching plot that resonates the story of salvation history in a universe parallel to that of our own. One cannot deny the similarities of Aragorn, Gandalf, and Frodo to our Lord during moments which point to unlikely kingship, resurrection, and the destruction of enslaving powers. Sacraments like the Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick can be seen through scenes that feature "lembas" and requests for final reconciliation before death. And one can't miss the theologically rich backdrop of a world under the temporary rule of Sauron, whose Ring of Power, which corrupts and possesses its owner, can be understood as an otherworldly embodiment of sin. Frodo's quest can actually be seen as a reenvisioning of the Way of the Cross! With these bite-sized spiritual tidbits to draw you into the plot of this literary masterpiece, see what other rich interpretations you discover as you accompany the Fellowship, the Apostles of Middle Earth, on their own Lenten journey of sacrifice, recommitment to virtue, and the rejection of sin.