Signs of repentance and love
Today we arrive at Ash Wednesday, a significant date on the liturgical calendar. On this day, we receive ashes on our foreheads, and we are called to repent and be faithful to the Gospel.
Throughout history, sackcloth and ashes have been symbols of repentance. And so, we sign our forehead with ashes, signaling to the world and ourselves the desire to reject sin and seek reconciliation with God.
But what does repentance truly mean? It is simply turning back to our God. It is the choice to move away from the things that separate us from God. It is a commitment to walk in the ways of the Lord.
Lent, then, becomes a time to embrace repentance. It is best understood if we understand the Lord’s passion, which forms the heart of our Lenten journey. Jesus suffered greatly at the hands of those He came to save. The priests plotted against Him. Judas betrayed Him. The crowds laid hands on Him. Herod mocked Him, and Pilate delivered Him to be crucified.
The Roman guards whipped Him. The soldiers nailed Him to a cross and watched as He writhed in agony. The passers-by jeered at Him, as if He were a common criminal. A thief cursed Him. And ultimately, He died.
What happened to Jesus – why He suffered – makes sense only in the full context of what He did. Jesus was fulfilling the ultimate act of love for humanity. His suffering was not in vain. It was a supreme expression of His love for us.
If you want to come to realize how much Jesus loved us, look at the cross.
It is love that makes Christ believable, and why we, as Franciscan Friars, wear the crucifix on our habits. It is a sign of Christ’s atoning love; a reminder of the incredible sacrifice He made out of love for each of us.
In these next 40 days, reflect on this profound love. Through repentance, turn your hearts back to God, remembering always the cost of our salvation and the depth of Christ’s love for us.