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This year the arrival of Ash Wednesday created confusion because it fell on February 14^th. Of course we had the traditional symbol of ashes on the forehead, signifying the beginning of the Lenten season. 鈥淩emember you are dust and to dust you will return,鈥� or 鈥淭urn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel.鈥� Rather than prayer, fasting, and good deeds, the media messages imaged hearts, flowers, chocolates and Happy Valentine鈥檚 Day! One student even asked if 鈥淎sh Wednesday鈥� could be moved so as not to interfere with Valentine鈥檚 Day.

We can actually see that Jesus is about love. The journey of Lent leads to Holy Week鈥攑assion, crucifixion and resurrection. There is no greater love than for one to give one鈥檚 life for one鈥檚 friend. You are my friends. In his living and his dying, Jesus shows us how to love, in his journeying with us and ultimately to the resurrection.

The Ash Wednesday scripture readings indicate how we are to comport ourselves: 鈥淒o not blow the trumpet before you. Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; . . . . (But) when you fast, do not look gloomy like those.鈥� Rather, when you pray, we are told, go to that inner room of your heart and deepen your relationship with God. One suggestion on entering that inner room, from St. Ignatius of Loyola who founded the Jesuits, is through daily prayer with the Examen. This invites us to find God in all that we do and in all things. You can learn more about the Examen and with the

Next, let us move into our imagination and see the possibilities our Lenten journey awakens in us. Each of us is unique, yet created in God鈥檚 image. Here is our common entry point. We are created to enter into a loving relationship with our God. The reality of our journey is to look for what resonates in each of us. , you can learn more about prayer and how to discern where God鈥檚 call will take you.

Enter into the inner room of your heart鈥攈appy Lent.