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Even now, says the LORD, 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
Today, as we go forward in procession at Mass to be marked with
ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded: “Remember that you are
dust, and to dust you will return.” Alternatively, the minister may
say, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” What humbling words to
hear.
Do you desire to be humble? From a worldly perspective, humility is
rarely esteemed as a virtue. However, those who are truly humble
have a radiance that emanates from their souls. Even those who are
deeply worldly often recognize the beauty of authentic humility.
Among all the virtues we are called to cultivate, faith, hope, and
charity are the greatest. No other virtue helps us grow in these
three as effectively as humility.
Humility is nothing other than seeing ourselves from God’s
perspective and embracing that truth. It allows us to shed false
personas, along with any elevated or distorted images we might have
of ourselves. In humility, we come to know who we truly are and
live as God created us to be. Humility is the virtue of truth and
integrity—seeing ourselves as we are in the mind of God and
becoming that person.
Imagine being able to look at your life and fully understand it in
the way God does. This is the essence of humility. Moreover,
humility enables us to embrace God’s will, as it opens our eyes to
the wisdom of His divine plan. It frees us from the deceptive
desires that promise only fleeting happiness, dispels the fears
that arise from believing lies, and reorders our desires so that we
want only what God wills for us.
The Scripture passage from the Prophet Joel is a powerful call to
make this Lent a time of humility, repentance, penance, and
transformation. As we are reminded of our mortality—“you are dust,
and to dust you will return”—we are invited to adopt an eternal
perspective, rather than a limited earthly one. Too often, we are
tempted to live for the moment, to satisfy every craving, and to
enjoy all that this world offers. Humility helps us turn our gaze
away from passing earthly pleasures and focus on Heaven and eternal
life.
Lent is a time to return to the Lord with our whole hearts, “with
fasting, and weeping, and mourning.” Fasting and penance are
necessary to ensure that earthly desires do not dominate our
ambitions. We must weep and mourn as we confront our sins,
addictions, and worldly attachments that promise only fleeting
satisfaction. Yet, God is a God of infinite mercy, “slow to anger,
rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” His justice rightly
punishes those who reject His mercy, but when we shed pride, sin,
and worldliness, His mercy fulfills all justice and He withholds
His punishment.
As we begin our Lenten journey, reflect today on the words of the
Prophet Joel as if they were spoken directly to you: “Even now,
says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart...” Do not let
this Lent pass you by. Enter it with a wholehearted commitment.
“Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Face your soul with humility
and confidence in God’s mercy. Identify your sins, turn from them,
do penance, pray, and seek holiness. If you do, God, in His great
mercy, will transform your life in ways beyond your
imagination.
My merciful Lord, I repent of my sins with my whole heart and
beg for the gift of humility so that I may see myself as You see me
and change in the ways that You desire. I commit myself to You
entirely and ask for Your abundant mercy this Lent. May I keep my
eyes on Heaven and live for You alone. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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