Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent in the Catholic Church. Lent is a time to return to our origins, God the Father.
Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, fasting and praying (Lk 4:1-13). Jesus’ fasting gave him the power to defeat the devil and redeem the world.
What will we fast from, and what spiritual practices will we undertake? We must clearly face and name the things that distract us from being closer to God. They may be (food, bad habits, media, work, etc.), and it may be difficult, but to have a greater experience with God, as Jesus did, let us do it.
When we fast, first, it changes our inner heart and brings us closer to God; second, we become co-redeemers, collaborators with Jesus in redeeming the world. Lord, come and guide us on this 40-day journey through the desert, where we want to encounter you more deeply.