Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart. (Joel 2:12-18)

Today we begin the journey of Lent. We receive the outward sign of ashes that is to reflect our inward desire to change. Earlier verses in Joel use the imagery of a locust invasion seen as God’s judgment on his people. Nonetheless, God calls his people back with eloquent words that do not seek outward sacrifices, but rather the change that “rends hearts.” Joel reminds us that Yahweh is “gracious and merciful…slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” What might be preventing you from this return in “fasting, and weeping, and mourning?” Let us use this Lent to delve more deeply into prayer, to examen our lives so that the metanoia of which Joel speaks can become true in our personal lives.