Dear brothers and sisters,
We mark the beginning of Lent with the ashes and the sign of the cross.
The ashes remind us of our mortality, of our sins, of our unworthiness, and of the weakness of human flesh. The ashes invite us to be humble and acknowledge our need for mercy and forgiveness. “For we are dust, and unto dust we shall return.”
The cross reminds us of the suffering and the sacrifice of Jesus. The cross is a sign of great love which brings us forgiveness. There on the cross, Jesus offered Himself for our sakes.
These two signs are signs of Hope. We turn to the Father. In our sinfulness, we cry for help, mercy and healing. And Lent affords us time, 40 days, to rise up from our fall and to allow ourselves to be redeemed by Jesus.
And so, while Lent may evoke sentiments of sadness, gloom and suffering, but from the center of our Lenten observances springs Hope. For our God is a God of mercy, compassion and love.
Let us take the opportunity of these 40 days of Lent to renew, to reconcile, to share, and to care; to purify oneself of sin and evil. The blood of Jesus washes our sins away and allows us to rise to new life. The cross of Jesus is His supreme solidarity with our human situation. There, in the apparent defeat of our Lord on the Cross, shone the glory of the Father, his unfailing love and mercy. Thus, Lent does not end in darkness and death, but leads us to Easter, the Resurrection of our Lord. “Repent and Believe the Gospel.”
Brother and sisters, Lent is once again a call to prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and works of charity. This requires die unto ourselves, to give life to others, so that in the end we may find our new life in Christ.
During these days of Lent, may we find joy in humility, freedom in reconciliation, strength in sacrifice and self-denial, grace in repentance, virtue in trials, hope despite setbacks, and divine assurance despite our unfaithfulness.
May your Lenten observance be meaningful and fruitful.
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