It was a lovely coincidence for us to celebrate Ash Wednesday on Valentine’s Day this year. Or was it truly a coincidence? I like to think it was not. This was a well-planned event that God gave us as a gift for His love to us. As Christians, we are aware of Jesus’ unconditional love for us, but sometimes we need a reminder, or we ask for “a sign” of His love. So, I think this was the purpose of this VaLENTine.
Lent is a time of working on our relationship with God. It means our way to celebrate our commitment to our faith, or for some of us, it could be the first-year anniversary of being faithful to God. Regardless of the years, Lent can be our gift to God, to Jesus, as we pray, fast and offer sacrifices with our “giving-up things” for Lent. And if we have a tough time deciding what to give up as a gift to Jesus, I suggest starting to pick up something, such as reconnecting with an old friend, make peace with someone we had a big argument or making time for those who love us, especially for Jesus. When deciding what to do for this Lent, think of doing something that is center on offering our hearts to God because this is the greatest gift, we could give Him. Lent is a time of letting ourselves to be touched by love like Paola Pablo mentions in her song “Polvo Soy” (I’m Dust).
I pray we can all have a blessed and lovely Lent!
Airam Aguasvivas De Los Santos, SFC '24 Student Assistant, Office of Mission, Ministry and Interfaith Dialogue | RISE Above Program Alumni | NYU HCOP Intern 2023 | PSI CHI and Duns Scotus Society, 2023 Inductee St. Francis College
Lyrics
Polvo soy (I'm dust)
Con un toque de amor (With a touch of love)
Al polvo volveré (I will return to dust)
Luego de amarlo todo (After loving it all)
Me convertiré (I will become)
Por su gracia cambiaré (By his grace I will change)
Y creeré en el evangelio (And I will believe in the gospel)
Viviré por lo que creo (I will live for what I believe)
Este es el tiempoto (This is the time)
De regresar al amor verdadero (to repent and return to true love)
Que se entregó por completo (Who gave Himself completely)
Este es el tiempo (This is the time)
De escuchar (to listen)
Su voz en el silencio (Your voice in the silence)
Tiempo de ir al desierto (Time to go to the desert)
Este es el tiempo (This is the time)
De renunciar al pecado sin miedo (To renounce sin without fear)
Tiempo de preferir el cielo (Time to prefer the sky)
Polvo soy (I'm dust)
Con un toque de amor (With a touch of love)
Al polvo volveré (I will return to dust)
Luego de amarlo todo (After loving it all)
Me convertiré (I will become)
Por su gracia cambiaré (By his grace I will change)
Y creeré en el evangelio (And I will believe in the gospel)
Viviré por lo que creo (I will live for what I believe)
Por su gracia cambiaré (By his grace I will change)
Me convertiré (I will become)
Él me hará de nuevo (He will make me again)
Este es el tiempo de morir (This is the time to die)
Para con Él, de verdad vivir (For with Him, truly live)
Este es el tiempo de sanar (This is the time to heal)
De perdonar, de renovar (To forgive, to renew)
De liberar, tiempo de amar (To release, time to love)