Ash Wednesday 2019
A message of encouragement on Ash Wednesday from Bishop Brian
“Now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation “.
In Ash Wednesday’s Second Reading St Paul declares that he is an ambassador for Christ. An ambassador makes known his ruler’s will so that it can be achieved. Paul knew that Jesus is Lord of all and that he had been called by Jesus to proclaim his message. As Christ’s ambassador Paul taught that Jesus had invited people to be reconciled with God so that they could be transformed by God’s love. Paul, of course, wrote to the Corinthians a number of years after the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Paul knew that the saving effects of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection were not restricted to only those who were present at the original events. It could still be a reality for the Corinthians – and therefore for us too! As we listen to Paul’s words today the Spirit is breathing life into them: “Now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation “. God’s redeeming work continues! This Lent, in repentance and hope, let us open our hearts to God and so invite the Lord to transform us “so that in him we might become the goodness of God”