Ash Wednesday

“Let us amend for the better in those things in which we have sinned through ignorance: lest suddenly overtaken by the day of death,
​ we seek space for repentance and are not able to find it."
“Attend, O Lord, and have mercy: for we have sinned against Thee."
​“Help us, O God, our Savior: and for the glory of Thy name, O Lord, deliver us.”
-Responsory (Ps. 78:9) for the Blessing of the Ashes

Today is Ash Wednesday, and the holy season of Lent has come anew. Each year we look forward to this opportunity for deeper repentance and conversion prompted by the beautiful prayers of the Church for this time. One thing that is particularly striking about the above prayer is the first exhortation, “Let us amend…Emendemus…” Yes, each one of us must choose to repent and accept the graces of conversion, but we do not have to do so alone. As religious we live in community, and as Christians we are members of the Church, the Body of Christ. The Scriptures exhort us to build each other up in living a life of charity, encouraging the good and giving fraternal correction when needed.

This prayer also reminds us that while we are made for eternal life, we have fallen because of our sins. The punishment for sin, death, will come for each of us. Lent reaffirms not only the need, but the daily opportunities for repentance and conversion so that this death will not be eternal.

“Attend, O Lord, and have mercy:
​for we have sinned against Thee."

At the close of this brief but beautiful prayer, there is the tender appeal to our Lord’s mercy and glory. In His goodness He desires to save us from our sins, because He made us good and for good. While we benefit tremendously from these gifts of repentance and redemption, God’s mercy ultimately magnifies His glory.

With all of the faithful we pray, “Let us amend for the better!” May this Lent be rich in graces of conversion for you and your loved ones, that through its holy observances we may come with hearts profoundly disposed to the joys and glory of the Easter season.

​“Help us, O God, our Savior:
​and for the glory of Thy name, O Lord, deliver us.”