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A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 1: Ash Wednesday – “Return to Me with Your Whole Heart”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):
Joel 2:12-13
“But now—it is the Lord who speaks—come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn, turn to the Lord your God again, for he is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness, and ready to relent.”

Reflection:

As we begin this Lenten journey, we hear the words of the prophet Joel: “Come back to me with all your heart.” It’s a call to step away from the noise and distractions of life and return to God with our whole being. Lent invites us to reflect, to fast, and to pray so that our hearts may be renewed by grace.

This return is not easy. Our lives are busy. Responsibilities press upon us. Distractions draw our attention away from the still, small voice of God. The world urges us to strive and achieve, but God simply asks: “Come back to me.” He does not demand perfection but longs for our hearts—even in their brokenness.

The prophet Joel’s words echo this tenderness: “Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn.” External acts of repentance are not enough; God desires an interior transformation, one that reaches the depths of who we are. To return to God means to acknowledge our need for Him, to trust in His mercy, and to allow Him to heal what is wounded within us.

The Desert Fathers understood this deep need for silence and prayer. Abba Arsenius, who left a life of luxury to seek God in solitude, prayed:

“Lord, teach me to be silent, that I may discern Your will. In silence, the soul finds rest, and the heart is purified. Words often scatter, but silence gathers the heart in prayer, lifting it to You.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Alphabetical Collection, Arsenius 5)

This silence is not a void; it is a space where God’s voice can echo in our hearts. It is a silence that allows us to recognize His presence in the midst of our struggles.

Similarly, St. Augustine speaks to the restlessness we feel when we stray from God:

“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” (Confessions, Book 1, Chapter 1)

Augustine reminds us that our longing for peace, fulfillment, and meaning is ultimately a longing for God. Lent is an opportunity to bring this restlessness to Him, to find our true rest in His love and grace.

As you receive the ashes today, let them remind you of this invitation: to turn back to God with all your heart. Let them speak of His tenderness and compassion. And let them be a sign of hope, for even in our brokenness, God is ready to renew and restore us.

Take this moment to consider the journey ahead. Lent is not about achieving perfection; it is about opening your heart, one step at a time, to the transforming power of God’s grace. Trust in His invitation to come back to Him, and let this journey be one of deep renewal.

Reflection Questions:

Take a moment to reflect on these questions and allow them to guide your prayer today:

What distractions keep us from returning to God with our whole hearts?
How can silence and prayer help us hear God’s invitation more clearly?
What small steps can we take today to draw closer to God during this Lenten season?

Closing Prayer:

Let us now bring our time of reflection to God in prayer, asking for the grace to return to Him fully:

Lord, You call us to come back to You with all our hearts. Yet we confess that life often feels too busy and overwhelming. Teach us to seek silence and prayer so that we may hear Your voice. Break our hearts in love and transform them by Your grace. May this Lent be a journey of renewal and deeper communion with You. Amen

This reflection is written by Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts®. The Scripture passage is taken from the Jerusalem Bible (1966 edition), used with permission. No unauthorized use or reproduction is permitted without prior written consent.