Ash Wednesday - small commentary and book recommendation

Repent, and believe in the Gospel! Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.

I love this time of year, the introspective forty days in which we are called, more so than the rest of the year, to examine ourselves and see if we are fulfilling our purpose as humans - to be saints. No better time to reflect on the fact that Jesus died for us. Died. God himself died, and what is more, purely out of love for us. And what do we do? We spit on his face by sinning constantly, we spurn the graces that he lavishes on us by ignoring them and wasting them, in essence, we reject his total and complete gift of self, and thus reject him. By not completely responding wholeheartedly, we reject him, yes, he who died for us freely. What thanks is that?

In that light, I'd recommend a book for everyone this lent, a book that is really changing the way I look at myself and God for the better. St. Francis De Sales, the gentle converter, wrote The Introduction to the Devout Life. It is exactly what it says it is. With thoughtful short chapters which are perfect subject for meditation, I couldn't think of something better to use as a tool this Lent.

~Ambrose