Give In

"Good morning, sinner!"
Pause.
"And you too!"
They both chuckled uproariously.

We were stepping into St. Luke's for Ash Wednesday Mass and Sr. Jacinta Ngân was saying hi to her good friend, Frances Edwards. Only these two could greet each other in this way.

It may not be a bad way to greet a good friend.
Notwithstanding priceless qualities, good friends know the other has faults.

Remember that you are dust and to dust, you will return.
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.

The church greets us with these two sayings at the beginning of Lent.
Then marks our foreheads with itchy sooty dust.

Good friends do this for each other.
They point out our mistakes.
Then accompany us on the path to wholeness.

Our task is to admit our faults.
Give up the vice.
Give in to God's waiting love.

What are you giving up?
What do you want to give in to?

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