Rend Your Hearts

For most of the Western Christian traditions, today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

The beginning of today's first reading at Mass struck me.

From Joel Chapter 2:

Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God.

For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.

Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, Offerings and libations for the Lord, your God. ...

For good Ash Wednesday-related posts, visit Deacon Greg, A Concord Pastor, Rocco, Fran, Mike, Fr. Aquinas, Brother Patrick and The Anchoress.

Flashbacks: Ash Wednesdays 2009, 2008 and 2007.

The painting above is "Ash Wednesday" by Mary Boyd-Ellis. It was inspired by the poem of the same name by T.S. Eliot.