This week we will celebrate Ash Wednesday and the Catholic Church begins the Season of Lent.

Lent is a season that most people look at as a time of 'giving up' something but Lent to me, is really about a journey- a journey of 40 days through the desert to the resurrection. A time of renewal and repentence; as the Prophet Joel says in the first reading of the Ash Wednesday celebration:

"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."

Even now, over two thousand years since the prophet Joel urged the people of Zion, we are still being called by God to return to His love with a repentent and contrite heart.

As we travel through Lent this year let's make a concious effort to spend more time in prayer, of truly being sorry for the many times we have sinned and offended Him. To wind our way through the desert of our sinfulness to come out the other end to share in the glory of His Resurrection!

Deo Gratias