Ash Wednesday
In the first reading, we are called to return to the Lord with our whole hearts; and we are told to rend our hearts. The responsorial psalm pleads, “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.” The gospel acclamation says, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart.” What does this mean for us? Maybe we have become hard-hearted, with hearts closed, walled-off, and barren. Perhaps we take excessive pride in our gifts, talents, and abilities and we want to control how we use them, rather than let God guide us in their use. Maybe we cannot feel, respond to, or fully enjoy God’s love for each of us—and we can’t wholeheartedly love God in return.
What can we do to fix this? We can break down—rend—the walls that separate us from God and each other, and allow our hearts to be softened and opened. A soft heart can receive and respond. A soft heart can be saddened, but it can also know great happiness and joy. Softened by the rain of God’s grace and warmed by the sun of God’s love, our hearts can be turned from a desert into a garden. All it takes is the humility to admit our failings and trust in God’s guidance, and a sincere desire to draw closer to God who loves us. The Season of Lent is “a very acceptable time” to do this.
Prayer
Lord, please give me the grace I need to open my heart fully to you, place my trust in you, and love you as deeply as I can. Amen
Brother Frank Hagerty, S.S.E. ‘73
Spiritual Director and Prison Minister
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