RENUNGAN – 18 FEBRUARI 2026 (ASH WEDNESDAY)
Photo by Thays Orrico on Unsplash
Ash Wednesday marks the start of our Lent Season. And once again, through Prophet Joel, God calls each one of us to …”to come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning”.
This morning as I joined the umat at St. Francis Xavier Woori Jib Home Potuki for the Ash Wednesday Eucharist, I noticed that the hall was filled until it overflowed even into the dining hall and the porch! This was the first time I experienced such an overwhelming attendance. A very good sign that the umat wants to enter Lenten season on the right footing. And I am quite sure that similar situations will be happening from Sukang Mabpai until Buayan during the day.
So what is it about Ash Wednesday that calls us to make that extra effort to come and have foreheads marked with the Blessed Ash in the form of a cross? Here some inputs that we can use as daily reflections in our Lenten Journey.
We mark our foreheads with ashes to remind ourselves that we, all of us
Sinners, are not made for this world, but are destined for eternal life with God.
Ashes are a public sign of repentance for all our sins, our intent to turn away from them and to come home to God. God invites us again to die to our worldly desires, and to live for Him and Him alone.
And as our foreheads are marked with ashes, these words are are said:
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” or
“Repent and believe in the Good News”.
Is is good that in Mathew 6:1-6, 16-18, our Lord Jesus again reminds us how to approach our prayer, fasting, almsgiving and doing good deeds.
Blessed Ash Wednesday
– Kat. Eligius Samuel –
