Ashes, ashes, ...

We all fall. To temptation, that is. Sometimes seriously, sometimes less seriously, we all fall. Ashes are a reminder of this reality, of our generative inheritance of Original Sin. It is somewhat harsh to speak of our "fallen nature" and disregard the capacity remaining in our nature to receive grace and the mercy of God. Nonetheless, our weakness that makes us susceptible to falling into sin makes the phrase "fallen nature" seem appropriate many times.

During the liturgical season of Lent, which begins tomorrow, we turn our thoughts and prayers to the Passion of Christ, recognizing the awesome gift that God gave us in sending His son to take on our flesh and walk among us. We call to mind the suffering He endured for our salvation, the stripes He bore for us that we might be healed (cf. Eucharistic Prayer III, Is 53:5), and we seek to participate in His passion, uniting our sufferings and inconveniences to those that He bore in His humanity for our sake. By the sacrifices that we make, we temper our bodily and material desires, detaching ourselves to those things that do not endure, and seeking to grow in the virtues that will remain beyond our bodily death. We must remember, however, not to be downcast or sullen in this time of penance, but rather to be joyful and consumed with hope and trust in God's mercy (cf. Mt 6:16).

Sr. Teresa sent me this Lenten reflection, which I hope you find fruitful in your spiritual journey:

"So dear is the cross of Christ to us... whose power flows forth to bring us our salvation. We often act as that last centurion, as eager for belief as unbelief, that we pierce 'the one before whom we fall on our faces' (Benedict XVI), and blood and water gush forth from His side. The lifeblood of Christ overflows then upon our hearts, for his pericardia is pierced through. Through our unbelief came His fountain of mercy, which we may embrace and kiss, and repent to receive...
"Be willing therefore to be pierced, to be run through, to have your spiritual pericardia torn asunder, that those who seek Christ may drink from the living stream flowing from your heart, eager for the salvation Christ has won for me and for you."

May this Lenten season be filled with great hope as we take seriously Christ's invitation to us to repent, believe in the Gospel, and follow Him with ever greater zeal for His Kingdom, drawing others to the fountain of mercy that is His Sacred Heart. May the sorrowful and ever-glorious Virgin Mary accompany us on this road to Calvary, culminating in the resurrection of her Son and our salvation, wrought by her total surrender to the will of God.


Love the Immaculata!
Mariam cogita, Mariam invoca