Our John Ireland School Mass homily for Ash Wednesday. As we enter Lent, we cal to mind that prayer, fasting and almsgiving are means to unite us to God, others and ourselves. May we live reconciliation out the Lent.

Jesus invites us to let go of anxiety, an affliction that affects all, but chronically 1 in 6 Americans. By remembering that the Lord loves us, and calling to mind the things He has created may help us be prepared but not anxious.

Jesus Christ invites us to be merciful, not to exact justice. When we are, we fulfill our 'end' - the purpose - of our lives.

Christ invites us to live in freedom beyond the Law. It is a free invitation, and one that brings freedom.

We are called to be salt and light. As hearers and doers of the Gospel, we need to remind all of the dignity of humans, and seek ways to help the oppressed. Our current political situation regarding immigration is one area.

When we hear the Beatitudes, do we tune out or do we hear in them a call to follow Jesus, to lives as disciples?

We too easily get accustomed to the darkness, but the Gospel is that the Lord invites us to the light. One issue that we too often hide is the issue of abortion. On this anniversary of Roe Versus Wade, we are called to reform our minds, conform our lives, and transform the world in the Gospel of Life.

Who are you? Too often we define ourselves by our names or occupations, but our Identity comes from our relationship to the Father, and from our Identity comes our Mission. We are Children of God, called to be saints.

Like the Magi of old, we are follow the light of Christ and are called to lead others. We are disciples guiding disciples.

While the Shepherds and others wondered at the words and deeds of the first Christmas, Mary, the Mother of God, ponders the mystery. She, who is the crown of creation, shows that all Christians are called to ponder the mysteries of Christ.