Soon after Christmas I thought to myself, I have sufficient time to get ready for Ash Wednesday and the Holy Season of Lent. Ash Wednesday came this week and now I am catching up with Lent. On Ash Wednesday, the priest or the deacon has two options to proclaim as he applies ashes on the foreheads of the faithful, “Thou art dust. Thou shall return to dust” reminding us of our mortality or “Repent and Believe in the Gospel” inviting us to turn away from sin and come to Faith in Jesus and the Gospel. I am always shocked at the response of our faithful to Ash Wednesday. Even though it is not a Holy day of obligation most Catholics go to Church, attend Mass or one of the services of the Liturgy of the Word and receive ashes on their forehead. I have learned in my priestly life to be available in the Church on Ash Wednesday from early morning till late night to give them ashes, to bless them and to hear confessions.  I have found that my availability and readiness to help them to begin Lent has made many to be happy with the Church and mend their relationship with God.

During Lent we make resolutions to give up many good stuffs that we have been enjoying, to pray more and do charity and so on. Very soon we realize that we easily break these resolutions and feel guilty.  When we were little children our Dad chose our sacrifices and gave a list to each one of us to give up for Lent.  We happily followed his directives. Sometimes we cheated on these by mom’s assistance and we were absolved of all guilt because mom had veto power over everything. But it helped us to seriously pursue a disciplined life. Mother Church requires us to do very little. Fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Abstinence on all Fridays of Lent. It also speaks of three pillars of spiritual life: Prayer, Penance and Alms giving. I follow all these and go beyond these practices.

Let me explain Lenten experience for me. See this picture.Few years ago, one winter morning, after a heavy snow storm I opened the Church for adoration followed by Mass. Five people who live near the Church showed up and sat in their usual corners. When I began the Mass, I invited all of them to come closest to the sanctuary with me for that morning mass. Hesitantly they moved closer to the Altar. After the Mass they all said that it was so intimate and magnificent experience. Lenten season is God inviting us not to sit in our comfortable seats far from Him but to move up close to Him and enjoy the warmth of His Love. If you do it, your life will never be thee same. My prayer is, Lord, give us the courage during this Lent to move up close to you and enjoy your love and mercy.