On Ash Wednesday

As many Catholics make a trip to church on this particular day which marks the beginning – Lent, in its threshold of another liturgical event, they wear that smudge on their foreheads. This calls everyone to a conversion journey it means turning to all who suffer in their lives; fasting and praying and giving alms to the poor, form the essence of what Lent really means. A particular discipline especially in prayer provides a continuum in God’s focusing; it’s something that shapes us from within a constant encounter with His divine presence. Sackcloth and ashes are signs of repentance, like those incidents with some prophets such as Isaiah , Daniel , Joel , Jonah , or Judith in their quest for a life worthy of God’s grace. It’s a season of renewal as baptized Christians, a reminder of our nature as mortal ones, our identity that embraces to come to a fuller life in the life of Christ who gifts us his love. Described as a community of sinners, with its strong need of repentance and understanding, this event of Ash Wednesday that leads us to pray – in our journey of conversion and transfiguration; brings us to new life and closeness to Easter celebration.