A Reflection for Ash Wednesday

Lent begins today - again. Ash Wednesday marks the start of a familiar journey for Christians. Each year, we observe the 40-day season of Lent to prepare for the springtime of Easter joy, seeking to (re)commit ourselves to live the new life of Christ, who was crucified, buried, and raised for our sake.

As a season of preparation for Easter, Lent is a time of turning, or conversion. The word conversion literally means to turn around, to change direction. Lent is meant to clarify our vision of what is truly important in our lives, namely, our conversion to Christ within the community of the Church.

The ritual of signing the forehead with ashes in the form of the cross begins our Lenten observance. These ashes are made from blessed palm branches from last year's celebration of Palm Sunday. They are the product of purifying fire and are themselves regarded as purifying, which is why the sinner receives ashes. Ashes remind us that we are all works in progress and in need of purification.

Each year, Christians hear the prophet Joel's words proclaimed in the first reading for Ash Wednesday, calling God's people to return to the Lord "with your whole heart" and to "rend (or break open) your hearts" and "return to the Lord."

Let us heed this call to conversion of heart ourselves and use this Lenten season well.

Let these 40 days of Lent be a journey of conversion, one that may lead to an unexpected change of heart and deepen our Christian faith as we turn, return, and turn again to Christ.

Whatever we choose to do or give up for Lent, may it bring us closer to God and closer to one another.