Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 | Romans 5:12-19 | Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17 | Matthew 4:1-11

​Last Wednesday, we began our Lenten journey with Jesus as we prepare to celebrate Easter. As we begin this season of Lent, our main themes for this weekend are temptation, sin, guilt, and forgiveness.

Joel 2:12-18 | Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 | 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 | Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

​Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the start of our 40-day journey of preparation for the Lord’s Resurrection. During this season, we set aside the singing of Glory to God in the Highest and “bury” the Alleluia. Floral decorations are put away, and we now use violet, the color of penance. Soon, we’ll be walking around with dark smudges on our foreheads—ashes blessed and mixed with either holy oil or water, then traced in the shape of a cross. As the minister imposes the ashes, they will say either, “Remember, man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19) or “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). No matter which words are spoken, the message is clear: "Alalahanin mo, mamamatay ka rin!" (Remember, you will die.) It’s a stark reminder of our mortality and our calling to live meaningfully. Life is short, so we must live it well. Since ancient times, people have used ashes as a sign of fasting, prayer, repentance, and remorse. This practice was common in early Judaism, as seen in 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1-3, Job 42:6, and Jeremiah 6:26. In the Church, ashes are sacramentals—outward signs of our brokenness and our willingness to turn back to God. By receiving them, we acknowledge our need for conversion and renewal.

Sirach 15:15–20 | Psalm 119:1–2,4–5, 17–18,33–34 | 1 Corinthians 2:6–10 | Matthew 5:17–37

​On this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the readings invite us to look at our interior life as committed followers of Christ. Through Baptism, every one of us shares in the universal call to holiness—the call to live the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity (Lumen Gentium, 40). Like the Cross itself, holiness is both vertical and horizontal: loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Isaiah 58:7-10 | Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 | 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 | Matthew 5:13-16

​My dear sisters and brothers, today we often take salt and light for granted because they are so common in our daily lives. In ancient times, however, they were precious and essential. When Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, He clearly defines our mission as Christians and as Church. On this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, He reminds us that our call to social justice flows from this mission—to preserve what is good, heal what is broken, give meaning, and bring light to the world.