God’s heartfelt appeal at the beginning of Lent

The Church presents to us a profound passage from the book of Joel in the Old Testament. It perfectly summarizes God’s love for us and sets the tone for the rest of Lent.

The following passage is often read on Ash Wednesday and is God’s heartfelt appeal to us, inviting us to return to him.

“Yet even now,” says the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and repents of evil.

Joel 2:12-13

God is a loving Father, waiting patiently for us to return to him after spending our inheritance on worthless things.

As we look forward to 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, may we look to God and see the love pouring out from him, inviting us into his loving embrace.

Read more:Begin Lent on the right foot: Here’s Pope Francis’ message (full text)

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