Ash Wednesday

"Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned."
Jl 2:12-118
2 Cor 5:20 , 6:2
Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

It is the first day of the holy season of Lent. We see gain the purple vestments and linens in the churches, reminding us that this is a season for repentance and conversion. Today we publicly admit that we are all sinners, as we have our foreheads marked with ashes in the form of the cross as part of our traditional Lenten practices.
The ashes are sign of our mortality : our time on earth is limited ; someday we will die, and everything in life will come to an end. We also fast and abstain from eating meat today. These practices give us an opportunity to set aside what is of limited value and focus on what is of supreme importance to us, our eternal life with God. These are two admonitions which may be said to us as we receive the mark of ashes. One refers specifically to the shes : "Remember, man, you are dust and dust you will return" (Gen 3:19). The other refers to the call to repentance and conversion, : "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel" (Mk 1:15)
This is a special opportunity for us to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, who helps us become more aware of how we have offended the greatness of God, and fills us with the grace of repentance. Our hearts are heavy and burdened with sins, but if we humble ourselves and turn back to God, he will console us with is gift of mercy and the joy of salvation. This takes place in a special way through the sacrament of Confession. Every Catholic who is serious about his faith will not let Lent go by without making a good Confession.
Almsgiving, Fasting, and Prayer.
In almsgiving, we consider the need of our neighbors in a practical way. We stretched beyond concern for ourselves and our own families and open our hearts to the needs of the sick, the suffering, and the poverty-stricken. We give according to our ability, and we can even further our almsgiving by combining it with fasting ---- for example, giving up some luxury or denying ourselves some comfort so as to use the money for the good of a person in need.
There are many ways to deepen our prayer during this season. We can make an effort to get daily Mass if possible. We can spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, reflect quietly on the scripture readings of each day's Mass, pray the Rosary, participate in the Stations of the Cross, or say the chaplet of Divine Mercy. The purpose of our prayers is not to fulfill an expectation or to prove to ourselves (or anyone else!) that we are serious about Lent. "Be on guard against performing religious acts for people to see>" The essence of prayer is in the "secret room" of the heart. There is where we enter into conversation with the Father, "who sees what no man sees."
Fasting is a way for us to empty ourselves so that God can fill us. We fast not only from food but from anything that may draw us away from the Lord.
The ashes, almsgiving, prayer and fasting are worthless if they are reduced to mere outward show. They are to be expressions of a repentant heart, moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loves us first. Conversion is a change that takes place from inside out. Our inner repentance urges us to take on more outward acts of love and penance in reparation for sins : acts done for the love of God and not for any human praise, entitlement or worldly return. Our heavenly Father sees all our actions, and will reward abundantly. 
St. Paul : "Now is the acceptable time! Now is the the day of salvation!"♥