Ash Wednesday
First reading Joel 2:12-18
The season of Lent is often associated with external practices—fasting, abstinence, and acts of charity. While these disciplines are important, today’s reading from the prophet Joel reminds us that the true essence of Lent is not merely about outward observances but about an interior transformation—a genuine change of heart. Through the prophet, God calls His people: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments.” These words emphasize that God desires more than rituals; He seeks a sincere return of the heart. In biblical times, tearing one’s garments was a sign of repentance, but God tells us that external expressions are meaningless if they are not accompanied by an inward renewal. True repentance is not about appearances but about allowing God to transform us from within. Joel also reassures us of God’s mercy: “For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” This Lenten journey is not about fear but about rediscovering the love of a God who patiently waits for us, who longs to restore and renew us. As we walk through Lent, let us not settle for superficial changes. Let us open our hearts to God, allowing His grace to lead us into true renewal, so that our fasting, prayers, and good works may flow from a heart that is truly turned toward Him. Lets’s reflect: Are our prayers, fasts, and acts of charity bringing us closer to Him, or are they mere habits without deeper conversion?
Don Giorgio