God to us: "Return to me" (Ash Wednesday reflection)

Sisters and brothers in Christ, in year's past, the Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday struck me with the Lord's instructions on how we ought to pray, fast, and give alms to the poor. However, this Ash Wednesday, the version from the Book of the Prophet Joel (the first reading) struck me. Let us listen again to what the Lord God tells us to do, not only this Lent, but every day of our lives: "Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart. . ."

Our Lord and our God desires above all things for us to return to Him with our whole heart. Let us reflect on that for a moment. The "one true God, eternal, infinite and unchangeable,  incomprehensible, almighty, and ineffable, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; three persons indeed, but one essence, substance or nature entirely simple" (CCC 202), our Creator and Father desires us - His wayward, prodigal children - to return to Him.

This is what our Lenten journey is all about or, at least, it is what it should be all about. It is more than giving up vices arbitrarily (although that is a good start); it is about getting right with God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The practices, or observances, of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are meant to convert and transform our hearts to be more like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to grow in holiness, and to strive for saintliness in all that we say and do.

. . .

Gospel of the Day

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Take care not to perform righteous deeds

in order that people may see them;

otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.

When you give alms,

do not blow a trumpet before you,

as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets

to win the praise of others.

Amen, I say to you,

they have received their reward.

But when you give alms,

do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,

so that your almsgiving may be secret.

And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you pray,

do not be like the hypocrites,

who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners

so that others may see them.

Amen, I say to you,

they have received their reward.

But when you pray, go to your inner room,

close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.

And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you fast,

do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.

They neglect their appearance,

so that they may appear to others to be fasting.

Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast,

anoint your head and wash your face,

so that you may not appear to be fasting,

except to your Father who is hidden.

And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."