DAILY REFLECTION FOR ASH WEDNESDAY
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Daily Seasonal Reflections
Ash Wednesday
Fr. Trey Nelson
“Even Now…”
Every year, whenever Lent or Advent roll around, the primary prayer that I make for myself begins something like this, “Lord, open my heart to something new this year.” Like all of you, I don’t want this to be just another Lent. Well, that “something new” came to me late last night and again this morning. The first 2 words from our Old Testament reading for today’s Mass (Joel 2:12-18) are what immediately struck me. “Even now, thus says the Lord, return to me with all your heart.” For me, when I read these words, this is what I am led to consider:
“It doesn’t matter how long it has been. I love you, says the Lord. Return to me.”
“It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, no matter how bad you may think it is. I love you, says the Lord. Return to me.”
“It doesn’t matter if you still harbor anger, resentment, or jealousy. I love you, says the Lord. Return to me.”
Now, to be sure, “It doesn’t matter” does not translate to God doesn’t care. It simply means that He wants nothing to keep us from Him.
So, if you have not already done so, consider the type of “return” you want to—and need to—make to God. And whatever it is, don’t let it keep you from doing so. Drop the extra baggage at the door—and walk into the embrace of the Lord’s love and mercy.
Because, “even now,” even after all the poor choices we’ve made and despite the times when we have distanced ourselves from the Lord, we are still loved.