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Today is Ash Wednesday and begins the holy season of Lent.  In the Mass there is a line that says, "the joyful season of Lent."  Really?  Why is 40 day of repentance and giving up stuff supposed to be joyful?  Because of what Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." 

We turn away from sin and seek to be faithful to the Gospel because we believe that the truth sets us free and that conversion allows us to more and more filled with God's life and love, the source of true joy.