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Homily for Ash Wednesday for AOB school kids: The Journey of Forgiveness, Transformation, and Holiness
CIX! – Good morning, everyone!
Today, we begin the season of Lent, a time when we take a step back from our usual routines to focus on deepening our relationship with God. It’s a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—three practices that help us prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. But Lent isn’t just about giving something up; it’s about becoming the person God is calling us to be. It’s about transformation. And as we reflect on our lives during Lent, we must remember that Jesus doesn’t just call us to be good—He calls us to be holy, as His Father is holy.
To understand this, let’s think about the story of Pinocchio. Pinocchio was a wooden puppet, created by a loving craftsman named Geppetto. Pinocchio had the potential for greatness, but he often made bad choices. He lied, got into trouble, and didn’t always listen to those who cared for him. But deep down, Pinocchio wanted to be a real boy. He wanted to be more than just a puppet, to be more than just someone who did “good” things. He wanted to be someone who lived with love, honesty, and integrity.
In the end, when Pinocchio risked his life to save Geppetto, his selflessness and love transformed him. He wasn’t just a puppet anymore—he became a real boy, not just in body, but in spirit. This is what Lent is all about: God calling us to be more than just “good”—He’s calling us to be holy.
You see, all people, whether they know God or not, can be good. Many people show kindness, love, and generosity. But Jesus didn’t just say, “Be good.” He said, “Be holy, as your Father in heaven is holy” (Matthew 5:48). Holiness is about living according to God’s will and loving like God loves. Holiness is about forgiving others, just as God forgives us. Holiness is about becoming the people God created us to be—full of His love, His grace, and His truth.
And here’s something important to remember: We were created in the image of God, and God is holy. To be with Him in heaven, we must also be holy. This isn’t just about being good people—it’s about growing more like God, who is perfect in love and holiness. That’s why Jesus calls us to holiness. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s a reminder of who we are meant to be and where we are meant to be.
That’s where the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving come in. They help us grow in holiness, just as Pinocchio grew from a wooden puppet into a real boy. Prayer is how we connect with God, listen to His voice, and become more like Him. Fasting helps us let go of distractions and focus on what really matters—our relationship with God. Almsgiving allows us to care for others and live out God’s love in the world.
But the most important part of this journey is forgiveness. Just like Pinocchio learned to forgive himself and others, we, too, need to forgive. Sometimes, we can hold onto grudges or make excuses for our mistakes. But God calls us to forgive because forgiveness is what heals us and transforms us into His image. When we forgive others, we make space for God’s love and grace to work in our hearts. Without forgiveness, we can’t truly grow into the holy people God wants us to be.
Remember, Lent is a time of transformation. It’s a time to become more than just “good” people. It’s a time to become holy—people who love like God, forgive like God, and live in a way that reflects God’s goodness in the world. Just like Pinocchio became a real boy through love and sacrifice, we, too, are called to be transformed by God’s love and grace, growing into the people we were always meant to be.
So as we begin this season of Lent, let’s reflect on how we can grow in holiness. Let’s pray for the strength to forgive, to give of ourselves, and to be more like Jesus. We are not just called to be good Catholics—we are called to be holy, as our Father in heaven is holy, because to live with God forever in heaven, we must share in His holiness.
Let’s walk this Lenten journey together, trusting that God’s grace will transform us and make us holy, just like He created us to be.
Amen.
