Ash Wednesday
A Mark of our Need for Renewal
Ash Wednesday invites us to pause and reflect on our human fragility and the profound need for renewal. In Joel 2:1-2,12-17, we hear a stirring call to repentance—a plea for a heartfelt return to God marked by fasting, weeping, and sincere contrition. This cry resonates deeply on Ash Wednesday, where the symbol of the ash reminds us of our mortality and the transient nature of life.
Similarly, in Matthew 6:1-6,16-21, Jesus teaches us about the true essence of spiritual practices. He warns against performing acts of piety for public acclaim, urging us instead to embrace a private and honest relationship with God. Our fasting and prayers, when done with humility, become a treasured conversation with the Divine—a way to store up eternal treasures in our hearts.
Together, these passages guide us on Ash Wednesday to examine our lives, clear our clutter of superficial ambitions, and focus on a genuine, humble walk with God. They remind us that repentance is not just about shedding old habits but opening our hearts to transformation and renewal during Lent and beyond.
