Have you ever taken pause to reflect on Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent? When I receive ashes and mark the beginning of Lent, it seems there’s always a new spirit of hope. Years ago, I realized the difficulty I have with keeping New Year resolutions and sometimes my penitential practice also suffered. Didn’t matter that the intentions were good—what would usually happen would be less than desired. “Starting Lent, I’m giving up Collard Greens.” “On Ash Wednesday I’ll start exercising more.” “Lent is my time to pray more.” Before Easter, I’ll turn a new leaf. watch my language, and read that new book by Pope Francis.” And each Lent passes, Easter comes and goes, and – we all know the end of this story.
T.S. Eliot wrote: “What we call the beginning is often the end and to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51)
Ash Wednesday is where we start. What I desire is a new and right spirit; what I desire is the spirit of Jesus.