An Invitation to a Whole-Hearted Journey
“Return to me with your whole heart.” – Joel 2:12
I always look forward to setting out on a journey. There’s a strong sense of excitement in exploring the unknown and a freedom that comes with opening my mind and heart to something new. I simultaneously feel nervous about what I might uncover about myself, especially the parts of me I don’t like to look at when I’m being stretched or stressed by the unfamiliar. I’m challenged to be honest and vulnerable in order to move through whatever challenges and failures that arise. In the end, I’ve always found the journey to be worth it, because it engages my whole heart—my whole self—God’s favorite resting place.
Today is the day, the “very acceptable time” (2 Cor. 6:2), to begin a new journey, to return to the tender arms of God, to trust—and entrust ourselves to—God. Today we receive ashes to be grounded in the basics, to get in touch with the heart of the matter, which is the matter of the heart. This invitation to return to God with our whole heart isn’t always easy. The ashes have always reminded me of that. They’re a reminder of the truth of what it means to be human: we’re limited creatures always in need of mercy, forgiveness, and healing from unfaced fears, self-seeking habits, and self-reliance. They remind us to shift our heart’s orientation from a reliance on ourselves to greater trust in God, who is “slow to anger [and] rich in kindness” (Jl 2:13). As Pope Francis reminded us last year, “our return journey to God is possible only because God first journeyed to us.”
Loving God, may we heed your call to re-orient our hearts and take the first step in our return journey to you this Lent. You never promised that it would be easy, but worth it. Give us the grace to open our hearts and hands to remember your goodness in our lives and to receive your tender love wholeheartedly through small steps of prayer, giving, and fasting.
David Romero, SJ
P.S. Today, let us join Pope Francis and many people around the world to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine and other war-torn countries.