Today is Ash Wednesday, the day which marks the beginning of Lent. Over the course of the next seven weeks, we?ll have a chance to look at our lives and try to become better people. There are a few lines from today?s readings that hit me ?like a ton of bricks?:
Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. (Jl 2:12-13)
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense. Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me. (Ps 51:3-4)
We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. (2 Cor 5:20-21)
Jesus became man to suffer and die for our sins so that one day we could go to Heaven. There?s no way that we could ever repay that debt. Lent provides us with an opportunity to say to Jesus, ?I?m sorry that you had to suffer and die an agonizing death for the sins that I have committed and continue to commit every day. I?m going to try my best to become a better person. Please help me.?
That?s not too much to ask, is it?
