The solemn season of Lent begins each year with Ash Wednesday. It is a season in which the Church exhorts us to pray, fast, and give alms. These practices are not arbitrary, rather they are drawn from Sacred Scripture (see Matt 6: 1-18), and they aim towards our conversion. During these forty days we are meant to be transformed. Our old self with its sinful tendencies is meant to be put to death once again in order that the life of Christ may more truly reign within us. This transformation is ongoing until the day we are perfected, finally ready for our heavenly homeland.
Each year, at the Ash Wednesday liturgies, the faithful are marked on the forehead with ashes in the sign of the cross. Those distributing the ashes will say either, “remember you are dust and to dust you shall return,” or “repent and believe in the Gospel.” I have always preferred the reminder that I am dust. I deeply appreciate a good memento mori, the reminder of the fragility of this life is helpful in taking seriously the task of preparing the soul for the next life. Additionally the image of being dust reminds me of God’s awesome creative power, that he made me, a living person with an immortal soul in His own image and likeness, out of nothing. It ties me to Adam, the first man, made out of the dirt of the earth. It is a phrase that has borne great fruit in my spiritual life.
Therefore, I was a little disappointed when the priest applying the ashes to my forehead this year said, “repent and believe in the Gospel.” However, when I returned to my pew, I felt a conviction that I ought to really consider that phrase and what it was that God was asking of me through it. It was an invitation for me to take seriously the call to repent and the call to believe.
This invitation led to a series of questions that I think could be helpful not only for myself, but for others as well, as we enter into this holy season together. What areas do I need to repent of, what sins have I made friends with, grown comfortable with being in my life? Where is my belief weak? Are there areas of the Gospel that challenge me, that I resist?
Each of us is called to repent and to believe more fully, more faithfully in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we do so we are individually prepared for Easter, prepared to receive the graces Jesus desires to pour out upon us, and we strengthen the body, making the whole Church more the spotless bride she is meant to be.
Let us enter into this Lent well. May it truly be the time of transformation and preparation that it is meant to be. In this holy season may the Word of God convict us that we may know our sin and repent. May the same Word of God dwell in us richly, increasing our belief in all He has proclaimed.
Prose for the sake of Poetry 