Editor’s Note: This column is reprinted from the Feb. 25, 2004 edition of the Denver Catholic Register, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Denver. Archbishop José H. Gomez will begin writing for Today’s Catholic in the near future.

    Mass media and the business world remind us early and with great anticipation of the arrival of important holidays such as Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
    For the most part, these days are considered important because they give us a reason to eat, drink, be merry and spend money. They are very good for business.
    There is, though, a day and a season important to Roman Catholics that is often ignored by mass media and, unfortunately, by some Catholics. That day is Ash Wednesday and the season is Lent.
    The 40 days of Lent start on Ash Wednesday, and continue through Wednesday of Holy Week. Lent is a time set aside to remind us of the 40 days and nights that, according to the Gospels, Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before beginning his great mission of redemption. For us, these 40 days should be filled with sacrifice, prayer and charity.

    Understandably, the world around us is not inclined to observe this time. Instead of consumerism and the spending of money, Lent proposes moderation. Instead of hurry and distraction, it proposes prayer and recollection. Instead of acquiring goods for oneself, it proposes generosity toward those most in need.
    Prayer, moderation and charity should be a way of life for Catholics, not only during the Lenten season but throughout the entire year. However, amidst the tasks, difficulties and hectic rhythm of our daily lives, we sometimes forget who we are as Catholics. Our Lord, through the church, offers this special time to us to stop and evaluate our relationship to God and to others.

     Lent is a time of change and self-improvement — a time to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus and to take positive steps in our path to conversion. For this reason, Lent begins with the placing of ashes on the forehead of each individual. While placing the ashes on the person’s forehead, the priest has the option of saying one of the following: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel,” or “Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.”
    These two phrases summarize the essence of this solemn time as a call to conversion and to become better Catholics. As the ashes so vividly remind us, life passes quickly, and even though our Lord wants us to live life to the fullest, we need to keep in mind that life is very short and we need to stay focused on our final destination, which is eternal life.
    We should not let the rhythm of daily life and the indifference of the world take from us this opportunity to reflect and grow in love of God and neighbor.

    Living the Lenten season requires effort and sacrifice. Let us take to heart the words of Pope John Paul II: “May the Lenten season be for all a renewed experience of conversion and of deep reconciliation with God, with ourselves and with our brothers and sisters. May Our Lady of Sorrows obtain it for us. In our Lenten journey we contemplate her associated with the suffering and redemptive passion of her son.” (papal homily, Ash Wednesday 2002)
    May Jesus, through the intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows, bless us and help us to grow in our faith, love of God and love of each other this Lenten season.