Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. The words said when we receive the ashes on our foreheads sum up the message of the day. There are two formulas reflecting a two fold emphasis. The older, more traditional, words 'remember that you are dust and and to dust you will return¹ draw attention to our human frailty and vulnerability as well as the shortness of life and the certainty of death. The newer, more modern, words 'turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel' remind us that we are sinners engaged in an ongoing struggle with sin in its varying guises and in need of God¹s help if we are to be faithful to the way of life we embraced at Baptism. Wearing the ashes is a statement of faith and our intention to embrace the discipline of Lent as our preparation for the joy of Easter.

Prayer, fasting and sharing are still important but again the emphasis has changed. Prayer is, perhaps, less about saying prayers and more about spending time with the Lord and carrying on a conversation as we would with a friend ­ talking yes but also listening. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday apart, fasting is more about self control and balance, avoiding over indulgence and abuse in such matters as food, drink, tobacco and drugs. We now speak of Osharing¹ rather than Oalms giving¹. We are impressed by the number of people who make sacrifices of their time, talents and money in order to share with those in need. We are invited to an awareness of unjust structures and practices that give rise to shocking and intolerable inequalities between people, classes, rich and poor countries and to alert ourselves to our responsibilities for others, as well as for the physical and moral environment in which we live and bring up our children as well as the values we live by and wish to pass on to them.

The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the Good News¹. With these words Jesus started his ministry and called followers to be "workers for the kingdom". Lent invites us to consider what kind of kingdom Jesus had in mind. It has been described as "a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace". These values need to be taken seriously by any one wishing to make Christ present in today¹s world. They must permeate our lives, we must carry them wherever we go, they must influence our way of living and interacting with those whose lives we touch.