Our myopic view sometimes leads us to think that true happiness is only found in worldly pleasure and selfish pursuits. On the contrary, the Gospel today points to the fact that we are made for God, and only God can fill the desires of our hearts. As St. Alphonsus Liguori says: “Nothing can satisfy one whom God does not satisfy.”

God’s purpose in creating and redeeming the world in Christ was to love the world and embrace sinful humanity, and not to condemn it. This is the purposeful incarnation that God intended from the beginning of time - God coming to live amongst us and sanctifying the world with His presence.

Being “God’s Temple” simply means that by our baptism, we have all been called to "live in a manner worthy of the call you have received" (Ephesians 4:1). It is no longer a “cultic faith” as witnessed in the Temple during the time of Jesus or merely “obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5, 16:26), but rather reliving the life of Christ in our own person in the here and now.

Change or conversion can be daunting and fearful because it involves a change of will and change of direction - an intentional turning away from sin and a turning to God through Christ. The very purpose that the Church calls us to conversion in this holy season is to bring us back into the right relationship with God.

Our Lenten journey that is accompanied by sacrifices and self-denial must lead us to act with humility, kindness, forgiveness, love, and the faith and courage to do the right thing. Following Jesus more intently during Lent is to make that radical change for God.

With or without ash, today marks the beginning of an important season in the Church’s calendar - the first day of the season of Lent, the forty days set aside to prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Church must be the place of God's mercy and love where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live according to the good life of the Gospel.

Being conformed into Christ’s image is really the goal of the Christian life because you will be the only Bible some people ever read.

Jesus, our Teacher not only teaches the way to salvation but He also inspires us to seek that pathway to happiness.

 The call of Jesus is not merely to follow or shadow Him but calling us to pattern our lives on Him.