“BORN AGAIN”

Some Christians use the phrase “born again.” While there is scriptural reference to this term in the Gospel of John and plenty of wonderful stories of lives turned totally around by grace, it is not a phrase that Catholics normally use. The reason for this may be that we know conversion is ongoing. The season of Lent emerged as a time for serious preparation for those entering the faith. It became quite clear over time that a similar time was needed for the People of God for renewal and rerenewal; not “born again” just once, but again and again and again.

The question we need to ask ourselves is “what in our lives gets in the way of our relationship with God and God’s people? We begin the season of Lent with ashes: dark, powdery soot that reminds us how our lives began and how they will end: “Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” They are also a reminder to: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” These ashes challenge us to confront the parts of our lives that need renewal.

During these days of Lent we travel with Christ one step at a time, from brokenness to healing, to forgiveness and to new possibilities for transforming our lives.