This is what “constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and not least the Church.” In the spirit of the ‘ever ancient, ever new’, Lenten traditions of prayer, fasting and charitable works, he invites us to the practical, to a deeper prayer and to respectful listening and caring action. He suggests a more profound fasting – a fast from “words that offend and hurt our neighbour”. As we consider the world at this present time how important that is.
May my Lenten practices, this year be prayerful acts of respect, kindness, dialogue, integrity of relationship. On this Ash Wednesday might I first ask myself, “is there warmth in the ashes still?” If so, I pray, rekindle in me the fire of Love.
-Sister Mary Rowell, csj
Image: Pablo Martinez @pablomp/Ahna Ziegler @artzUnsplash
