Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return

 

Our 40-day journey of fasting and penance during Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 6^th. The churches will be filled with people looking to have ashes placed on their foreheads. The priest or deacon will say, as he administers the Ashes, one of two phrases: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

These two phrases are inviting all of us to turn to God and develop a closer relationship with Him. We are reminded that we are nothing without the presence of God in our lives. “We are dust and to dust we shall return.” The other phrase, “Repent and believe in the Gospel” helps us realize that we are all sinful people in need of repentance. We need to develop that relationship with God that will help us become better people in our relationship with one another and with God.

There are a few ways that we can develop that closer relationship with God during Lent. First is by the regular reading of scripture. I would like to suggest that you take time every day to read the scripture readings assigned to Daily Mass. You can find these assigned readings in magazines such as the Magnificat, The Word Among Us, or Living Faith. These magazines will tell you what the scripture readings are for each day of the week. Take time each day to sit with one of these magazines, and a Bible (I would recommend the New American Bible). Find a convenient time during the day to sit prayerfully with the scripture readings that are assigned. Take time to see if the Lord is attempting to speak to you through the scripture readings.

Another way is to go to Mass during the week (in addition to Sunday mass). Usually weekday masses are very simple and prayerful and is a good way to be with the Lord in addition to Sunday. Plus, you have the benefit of receiving our Lord in the Eucharist in addition to just Sunday.

Finally, sometime during Lent make time to go to confession. The regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially during Lent, helps us to focus on where we should be in our relationship with the Lord.

Repent and believe in the Gospel.