Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, & Matthew 6:1-6,

Today, Catholics worldwide are observing the occasion by attending Ash Wednesday Mass or services at their parish, fasting, and abstaining from eating meat. Today's first reading from the Book of Joel speaks directly to what we are doing today. God called all of His people together by asking them to stop whatever they were doing and come to the temple, including the priests. Today, He asks the same of us.

Our second reading from Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians explains that our righteousness lies in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many fallen-away Catholics feel like they are not good enough to attend Holy Mass. Their hearts and minds are not in the right place. What we must remember is that we are all sinners. None of us are perfect. Those of us who are committed to Mass must try to convince fallen-away Catholics that we have a loving and forgiving God who will welcome us back to the Sacred Liturgy and the Eucharist with open arms.

In Matthew's Gospel narrative, Jesus tells us not to draw attention to ourselves by doing good works for others to see. I believe that this is something to think about this Lent. We must allow others to know that we, too, are sinners. We are all trying to overcome our sinful inclinations and become better people for God, others, and ourselves. This Lent, may we all repent our sins and reap the reward of God's grace and forgiveness.

Question of the Day: What do you need to repent during this season of Lent?

Prayer: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."