Repent and believe in the Gospel

On Wednesday, February 18th the Church starts its 40 day journey towards Easter with Ash Wednesday. As you approach the priest or deacon for your ashes that day, you will hear either “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you will return.”

During these 40 days of Lent we are called by Our Lord Jesus Christ to deepen our relationship with God and with those around us. We are called to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and to remember that we are nothing without the God who made us. We are just dust, and to dust we shall return.

The Church offers us many ways to bring us closer to God and to our neighbor. We are called to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. We are encouraged to do our “Easter Duty” by going to confession sometime during Lent. We are to give alms to those around us that may not have as much as we may have. While doing these things, we are to repent of our sinful ways and to turn our lives over to Christ.

In the gospel assigned for Ash Wednesday, Our Lord gives us very clear advice as to how we are to do the things the church expects of us. It is the gospel Matthew, chapter 6. In it we are reminded by Jesus to, “Take care not to perform righteous deeds, in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 6:1). In other words, we are not to worry about what others think of what we are doing for the Lord. We are to serve the Lord in ways that are pleasing to Him without concern about what others say or think. The Lord goes on to tell us that we are to be generous with those around us, without bragging about it, “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” (Matthew 6:2)

Our Lord concludes with the advice to be to the point in prayer, “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words…” (Matthew 6:7). Be short and to the point in your prayer with God. A good way to pray is to take the scriptures assigned each day for Mass and sit and reflect on what the Lord is trying to teach you. Try to spend about 5 to 10 minutes every day reflecting on these scripture readings. They will bring you closer to the Lord, and you will find that peace that can only come from God.

Take this time during Lent to grow closer to the Lord and to others. Then you’ll have a truly joyful Easter!

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!