Today is Ash Wednesday, the day in which we receive ashes on our foreheads and are told by the Church to “repent and believe in the Gospel.” In addition to being told by the priest to “repent and believe in the Gospel” as he makes the sign of the Cross on our foreheads with ashes, today’s readings also speak of the need to turn away from our sins. We hear it in the beginning of the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Joel.
“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.”
Not only do we hear of the need to repent, but we also hear in this reading about God’s great love for us, and how He is ready to welcome us back with open arms. We experience this every time we go to Confession. Every time we walk into the confessional, God is there, waiting to forgive us and take our sins away from us.
It is my sincere hope that God will grant me the grace of a deeper conversion this Lent. I hope and pray that He helps me to feel sorrow for my sins, not just because of the impact that the have had on my life, but because they have saddened and offended someone He who loves me immensely.
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