Mark Wahlberg openly displays his Catholic faith by wearing an ash cross on his forehead to signify the beginning of Lent, yet he chooses to keep his private connection with God undisclosed.
The 51-year-old explained to co-anchor Savannah Guthrie that discussing religion is all about finding a balance.
I have no intention of imposing my beliefs on others, yet I find it unacceptable to remain silent about them. Failing to express my faith would be a greater wrongdoing. Although it may not be widely accepted in my field, I believe it is important to share my convictions. At the same time, I recognize the importance of respecting and valuing the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of my friends.
Mark Wahlberg stressed that he maintains an equal share mentality when it comes to his four children with his wife, Rhea Durham.
He then added, “I don’t force it on them. But they know that Dad can’t start the day without praying, reading my Scripture, or going to Mass. Hopefully, instead of feeling pressured, they will consider, ‘If it’s beneficial for Dad, maybe it could benefit us too,’ and they will naturally be drawn to it.”
I avoid imposing my faith on others, yet I refrain from doing so. This is a more serious offense.
During his conversation with Savannah, Wahlberg delved deeper into the Lenten season and the fasting periods associated with it, elaborating on his approach as a guest narrator and paid ambassador for the Catholic prayer app Hallow.
Wahlberg highlights the multiple components of fasting, emphasizing the importance of considering other factors if struggling with eating. He suggests that it is essential to be mindful of what you should avoid, as God is aware of these things.
It is common knowledge that there are certain behaviors that make us feel less than our best and leave us feeling guilty. Therefore, it is important to be able to distance ourselves from these behaviors and focus on cultivating positive habits instead of harmful ones. While fasting may have its disadvantages, such as abstaining from meat for the day, I will be sticking to just one meal every Friday leading up to Good Friday.
Furthermore, Wahlberg will lead individuals through insightful lessons on the practice of fasting as a component of the Pray40 Lent Challenge available on the Hallow app.
In his opinion, the determination required to face the difficulties of Lent leads to individuals becoming “enhanced versions of themselves.”
From his own perspective, that is what he has observed, at least.
He stated, “Discipline has always played a crucial role in my life. I realized the need for increased discipline as I transitioned from music to movies, and this discipline has brought me numerous benefits. I have reaped rich rewards from it, and I am eager to pass on this wisdom to others, whether it involves fasting, engaging in more physical activity, cutting back on other distractions, or dedicating more time to prayer and self-reflection. These practices are essential.”
Wahlberg’s response to summarizing his religious beliefs was simply, “It encompasses everything.”
He went on to say, “It has provided me with numerous chances. Clearly, God did not come to rescue the righteous. He came to redeem the sinners. Concentrating on my faith has allowed me to improve myself, a goal we all strive for.”
