Ash Wednesday

Lent is here again. Lent, as we know, is a time of penance, of prayer and fasting. We may ask ourselves: do we really need Lent this year? Haven’t we suffered enough already on account of this pandemic? Why should we do more?

But Lent is also a time of conversion, a period given to us to pray for the forgiveness of our sins. I think that each one of us will readily admit that we are not perfect, that we have failings, sins, for which we need to be forgiven. These failings, these sins, usually arise because we are self-centred; we are greedy and refuse to share with others, or our pride is hurt and we react violently. Because of this, these sins weaken our relationship with God, as they damage our relationships with our brothers and sisters. 

But God calls us back. St Paul’s message to us rings out: “Be reconciled to God”. Don’t be afraid to turn to God, because God in his goodness and mercy will listen to you.

We turn to God with humility, allowing our hearts to be torn apart. We recognize our weakness. In a short while I shall bless ashes, the symbol of our weakness. These ashes will be sprinkled on our heads while we are reminded that “we are, dust and to dust we shall return”, and yet we weak creatures are called to enjoy the life of God.

We are called to imitate the generosity of God who has shown his love for us by sending his Son to come among us and to give his life for us. We are called to be like Jesus who came among us not to be served but to serve.

This is why, during this Lent, we are invited to open our hearts to God in prayer, and to our brothers and sisters by being attentive to their needs. By our prayers we support our brothers and sisters, especially those who are suffering because of the coronavirus.