Our Lenten Season begins this Wednesday as we celebrate Ash Wednesday.

As customary on this day, we receive ashes on our forehead from the priest or deputized lay minister while we hear the words of admonition: “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you will return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel”.

These words of admonition reminds us of two things.

First, by receiving the ashes on our forehead, it reminds us of who we are and where we come from. That we come from God and we will return to God after our earthly journey ends.

Second, as we hear the word of admonition repent and believe in the Gospel, it reminds us of our nature. How sometimes we offend God because of our weaknesses. We offend Him by our thoughts, our words and our actions. Therefore, He calls us to repent and in a special way, He gives us an opportunity to look into ourselves while we are guided by the season of Lent into acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in order to become better and have a meaningful observance of Lent.

Finally, we wear our ashes as a sign. It is not a boastful sign through which we say, "Look at me and see how holy I am”. It is not that way. Rather, we wear our ashes as a sign of humility. We acknowledge that yes Lord, I am a sinner and I ask for your grace and mercy to help me become better.

We remember His words from the prophet Joel, “Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is He, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment”. - Joel 2:12-13