I can't help myself. The older I get, the more convinced I am that Lent is a season of rejoicing, joy, goodness, hope and the conviction that we can change.
'Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return'. This means that you will die. Which you will. It also means that you are mortal, and so your life in this life is precious. It puts the question back to you: Are you doing all that you might with your one, finite, precious (oh so precious) life.
And 'turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ' means, well, let's say it: YOU CAN. It makes sense only if you can change, and the message of Ash Wednesday is that you can. It is not about becoming a better (more respectable) person. It's a singular action, like turning. Just turn. You can turn. Do you see why I think this is hopeful?
To this, I might add that in the Eastern Church a sub-theme of Lent is always the Annunciation, where Mary rejoices and says, freely, 'be it unto me according to your word'. They never drop the Alleluias and so on. But, as I say, even without Eastern exuberance, I find Lent a great and positive experience. May you be blessed in it.
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