Ashes To Ashes , Dust To Jesus

Today is Ash Wednesday, the day we as a Catholic community mark ourselves with ashes. We do this remind us our brokenness, sins, and how much more we need Jesus.  "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel", this is the prayer we are told as the ashes are put on our head. We are reminded to run from sin and run to Jesus.  Jesus is calling us to run to Him, so we follow him into the desert as we too fast and make our way into the desert for 40 days.  In these 40 days we journey together, we do this so we can finish together. 

Lent is a time for sacrifice, because we are called by our Baptism to die with Christ and rise with Him too.  During these 40 days it’s a time cleansing and purification of hearts. This purification should not end after the 40 days are up. Rather, we should strive to live it out the rest of our life. There is so much junk in our hearts, so much that we can’t fill it with Christ because we have no more room. Lent is a way to empty our hearts and let the Trinity fill it to the rim. Much like the wedding feats at Cana; Jesus tells the servants to fill the water to the rim. It is then transformed into wine. Same with us, He tells us to fill our heats to the rim, so that he can transform our hearts to do His will.  

Duc In Altum

Today’s Gospel Luke 5:1-11, is a great reading that leads us in to the start of Lent. To sum it up: Simon and his partners had been fishing all night long; they are tired, and have not caught a thing. Just as they are preparing to pack up for the day, Jesus comes to them and says, “Put out into deep water”. Simon says “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets”. As the cast their nets into deep water, their nets begin to fill so much that both boats are about to sink. Simon falls to Jesus’ knees and says, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man”. Jesus picks him up and says “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men, come follow me”.

This story is not one to just skim over, rather it’s a story that we need to take to heart. Duc in altum Latin meaning “put out into the deep”.  Duc in altum! This is the great challenge for us, especially as Lent is 3 days away.  Duc in altum is telling us that Jesus knows what is best for our life. He knows we are destined for greatness, wishes to reveal His will for us, and if we follow Duc in altum we can achieve the greatness that waits for us. Duc in altum is also a call for a greater trust in Jesus’ love, and in God’s plans for us. We need to be like Simon and say “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets”.   Duc in altum needs to be our theme for Lent. We need to find a way to allow Jesus to take us deeper, to allow us to fall deeper in love with Him, which in return it allows to love others deeper.  Jesus, help us to say yes to your love and will for us. Help us to Duc in altum this Lent.  Give us the Grace love like you love.  Amen.