Joel 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16–18
As we come forward to receive ashes this day, may we do so with humility and awareness. We are asked to remember that we come before God as our whole selves, including our strengths, weaknesses, goodness, and sinfulness.
St. Paul reminds us that we are ambassadors for Christ, called to use all our gifts and challenges in service of Christ. To share the message of Christ with the world, each of us is to be bold in the declaration of our redemption.
This Lent, can we strive to balance the awareness of our own faults with the call to bring the redeeming love of our Savior to a world in need?