In anticipation of the liturgical season of Lent

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Published: Saturday, 18 February 2023 23:13

In anticipation of the liturgical season of Lent we ought to focus more on the Passion of Our Lord. We begin to meditate on the mystery of Jesus’ sufferings which culminated in his death on the cross for the redemption of mankind. Traditionally Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 22 this year, will mark the beginning of the Lent - the time to contemplate our relationship with God and identify the areas in our spiritual life that need work.

In Biblical times it was common to sprinkle ashes on the head as a sign of repentance and humility. The ashes are a physical reminder of our Lenten journey; by receiving the ashes on our heads and keeping them on through the day, we are recognizing that life passes away on earth. Therefore we strive during Lent to turn away from sin, refocus our lives on the following God’s commandments, and look towards the Kingdom of Heaven.