Ash Wednesday

LENT BEGINS

Last year we were in St. Maarten for Ash Wednesday

 

 Lent is 40 days before Easter

Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter.

 

 Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. Let us prepare our souls....

 

 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven,
     and whose sin is put away!
Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt,
     and in whose spirit there is no guile!
While I held my tongue, my bones withered away,
     because of my groaning all day long.
For your hand was heavy upon me day and night;
     my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
     and did not conceal my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.”
     Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble;
     when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
You are my hiding-place;
     you preserve me from trouble;
     you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go;
     I will guide you with my eye.
Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding;
     who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
     or else they will not stay near you.”
Great are the tribulations of the wicked;
     but mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.
Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the LORD;
     shout for joy, all who are true of heart.