Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lent is time for self-examination and repentance by prayer and fasting and self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. It is a season to make a right beginning of repentance. Good readings for today are: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Isaiah 58:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.

The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,

slow to anger and of great kindness.

He will not always accuse us,

now will he keep his anger for ever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our sins from us.

As a father cares for his children,

so does the Lord care for those who fear him.

For he himself knows whereof we are made;

he remembers that we are but dust.

—Psalm 103:8-14