Joel 2:12-18 / 2 Cor 5:20 - 6:2 / Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Today as we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of a couple of fundamental truths.
Firstly, we are reminded of our mortality, and that is why ashes are marked on our foreheads. It is a profound as well as a grim reminder that we are dust and in the end it is unto dust we shall return.
Secondly, we are reminded of who is our Creator and that we are His creatures. And as creatures, there is nothing that we can boast of as our own achievement or accomplishment. Just as we shall turn to dust, all our achievements and acclaims are like dust before the Lord our God.
And finally, we are reminded that we are sinners but God is merciful, compassionate and forgiving. He is calling us to turn back to Him and to repent of our sins. Though our hearts are broken by our guilt, God will heal and forgive a humble and contrite heart.
That is why the season of Lent come with the three spiritual disciplines of prayer, penance and almsgiving.
We pray because we want to acknowledge that God is our Creator and Saviour. We do penance like fasting to repent of our sins and to turn away from temptation. We give alms because nothing of what we have is truly ours, and to help the poor is our duty and our responsibility.
So the season of Lent reminds us of who God is and who we are and what we should do.
Let us go back to the Lord our God with all our heart and we will find mercy and compassion, forgiveness and healing.