Return to the Lord, Pope says in Ash Wednesday homily

February 19, 2015

Pope Francis took part in a penitential procession on Ash Wednesday and celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Saint Sabina at the Aventine.

“To return to the Lord with all one’s heart means taking the path of a conversion that is neither superficial nor transient, but is a spiritual journey that reaches the deepest place of our self,” the Pope preached.

“The prophet dwells particularly on the prayers of priests, noting that their prayer should be accompanied by tears,” he continued. “We will do well to ask, at the beginning of this Lent, for the gift of tears, so as to make our prayer and our journey of conversion ever more authentic and without hypocrisy.”

Reflecting on the Gospel reading, the Pope said that “when you do something good, almost instinctively born in us is the desire to be respected and admired for this good deed, to obtain a satisfaction. Jesus invites us to do these works without any ostentation, and to trust only in the reward of the Father who sees in secret.”

“In Him we can become righteous, in him we can change, if we accept the grace of God and do not let the acceptable time pass in vain,” he added. “With this awareness, trusting and joyful, let us begin our Lenten journey. May Mary Immaculate sustain our spiritual battle against sin, accompany us in this acceptable time, so that we might come together to sing the exultation of victory in Easter.”

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis: Ash Wednesday homily (Vatican Radio)
• Procession and Celebration of Ash Wednesday (Vatican YouTube)