Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. As our foreheads are marked with ashes, these words are said: “Remember, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” Ashed are a public sign of our intent to die to our worldly desires and live in Christ. Lent is a time of prayer and penance, when Christ wants to lead us back to our baptismal promises of dying to sin and of living for God. During this season, Catholics observe the disciplines of fasting and abstinence. The Catholic Church teaches that all people are obliged by God to perform some penance for their sins.
We are all invited to reflect on God’s love made visible in the person of Jesus. May we align our lives more closely with Him through prayer, fasting and generous giving.
