The part of the liturgical year which we call Ordinary Time is interrupted. We have celebrated five Sundays in Ordinary Time and will interrupt this series of 34 Sundays, to continue it after Pentecost with the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Why this interruption? Because we are already in the time of deep reflection. On Wednesday this week is Ash Wednesday, the day when the Church starts its great spiritual retreat, which is called Lent. For forty days, we want to imitate the forty days of Jesus’ fasting in the desert, preparing for his public life. The Church invites us to live this season, feeling ourselves as part of Jesus Christ, calling us to repentance, to an interior renovation of the soul, heart and life.
Pope Francis asks this question: “What are you giving up for Lent?” It is not a matter of giving up material things. He is inviting us to change our heart, our lifestyle. It could be hard to fast in this way but it will prepare us to welcome the truth in love in order to make us free.
“To return to the Lord with all one’s heart means taking the path of a conversion that is neither superficial nor transient, but is a spiritual journey that reaches the deepest place of our self”, said Pope Francis.

Written by María Clara