Brothers and sisters, on this Ash Wednesday we enter a season of penance and mortification for forty days that precede Easter being called to reconcile with God. Through symbolic ashes, we are reminded that we are sinners created from dust always in need of mercy and forgiveness from God cf. Genesis 18:27. To share in his resurrection we have to be cleansed from sin. The spiritual practice of applying ashes to our forehead is a sign of atonement. cf. Jeremiah 6:26. In these forty days, we are reminded to abstain, fast, pray and do acts of charity. This is the…