Preparing for Ash Wednesday

As the season of Lent approached, Pope Francis found himself in a hospital in Rome, confronting a host of medical challenges. But weeks before he was hospitalized, he wrote his message for Ash Wednesday, March 5.

He chose the idea of a journey for his theme, one so apt for this place in the Catholic liturgical year — and for our place in history, too. So many of us feel stuck in our lives, stymied by our personal circumstances and those of our communities, the nation and the wider world. We struggle to find and cling to hope, to the ability to live out our faith. 

But, once again, the pope has spoken to us. “Let us journey together in hope,” he begins, borrowing the theme of this Jubilee year, which is focused on “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Reminding us of the dramatic journey from Egypt, described in the biblical book of Exodus, and the challenges to modern-day refugees and immigrants, he calls Christians to journey together, not to become mired in self-absorption and isolation. 

”Let us walk in the same direction, tending toward the same goal, attentive to one another in love and patience.”

Pope Francis poses thoughtful questions to consider during this Lent: “Am I convinced that the Lord forgives my sins? Or do I act as if I can save myself? Do I long for salvation and call upon God’s help to attain it? Do I concretely experience the hope that enables me to interpret the events of history and inspires in me a commitment to justice and fraternity, to care for our common home and in such a way that no one feels excluded?”

Consider, he asks, as we live our lives, love our families and work to feed them, are we able to listen to others and resist the temptation to “become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs?” 

Pope Francis underscores Ash Wednesday with a call to the ongoing journey of conversion. “Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilized by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone?”