Return to Me with All Your Heart

Ash Wednesday

Once again, we find ourselves at the beginning of our Lenten pilgrimage, a journey in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ as he leads us into the Paschal Mystery of his passion, dying, and rising. Remembering that Jesus went out into the desert and fasted for 40 days, the Church asks us to enter our own personal desert of fasting.

As we celebrate the Eucharist on each of these 40 days, we will encounter writings of the prophets of Israel, St. Paul, and the evangelists who each wrote a Gospel to lead us to Calvary Hill where Jesus shed his blood for the remission of sins. For the last three weeks of Lent and the seven weeks of the Easter season, we will read from the Gospel of St. John.

This past Monday, as I was enjoying my day off, I sat down and went through all of the readings including the Psalm responses for the 40+ days of Lent. From those readings, I chose one word or phrase which I would suggest that we carry with us throughout the day as a reminder that we are on this special pilgrimage. Rather than preach a homily for each day, I will simply explain the word for that day in simple terms. Perhaps you could call that word to mind at a moment of prayer this afternoon, and a moment of prayer before you go to your bed. By recalling this word three times during the day, I personally am hoping that I will be able to focus my attention on what Jesus is asking of me. I hope your experience is similar.

Today, on Ash Wednesday, I call your attention to a word from the reading from the prophet Joel: return. Our sins have led us away from God, and God is calling us back. “Return to me with all your heart.” God’s arms are opened wide inviting us with an embrace of love for all who desire to return to our God.