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Ash WednesdayWe offer this warm, compassionate invitation to listen on this first day of the Lenten Season.

God says to us, as God said to the people of Israel,

“Even now, return to me with all your heart.”

But, what about this summons, this invitation, causes the human heart to refuse, to hesitate to respond?

Listen now to the Word, with Megan McElroy OP, a homily for Ash Wednesday, based on Joel 2:12-18.

“Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.”

Joel 2:12-18

Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter. Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.