Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our Lenten journey. In the first reading, the prophet Joel encourages us to, "Return to the Lord with your whole heart. Rend your heart not your garments." In the second reading St. Paul reminds us that, "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us." While reflecting on theses readings, I am reminded of an elderly gentleman who was tall and very thin and would go from house to house in the town of St Agata Irpina, Italy and ask for something to eat. Many families would turn him away because he appeared homeless. One family would invite him into the kitchen to sit and share a meal. The gentleman would never accept the invitation to enter their home. Instead he chose to sit on the steps. The mother of the family would ask her son to bring him a dish of pasta and a glass of wine. For this mother, this gentleman was a reminder of our Lord Jesus. Jesus although always spiritually with us on this earth, needs our hands and our hearts to carry out his will. Each of us truly is his ambassador on earth. When today you hear his call, how will you respond?

Finally, in the gospel Jesus asks us to reflect on the manner in which we pray, fast and give alms. Are our actions driven by the attention that we receive? Jesus challenges us to practice being humble. Humility is not a symbol of weakness but rather a virtue of self-confidence where recognition is not the impetus behind the actions.