Lent is late this year perhaps in sympathy with Spring which has not arrived yet!  Lent is traditionally a time
of giving up of self-denial, and that is true, even though it may not be news that many people in our society want to hear in the present economic climate
and its effects on so many peoples lives. But the readings for Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, paint
a broader picture:

Lent is a time for turning back to God as we hear in the first reading:

Now, now it is the Lord who speaks Come back to me with all your heart,
Fasting, weeping, mourning.
Let your hearts be broken not your garments torn, turn to the Lord God again
for he is all tenderness and compassion,
slow to anger, rich in graciousness,
and ready to relent. 
Joel 2:12-18.

St. Matthews Gospel spells out what this turning back to God means in practice through the good deeds of prayer, fasting and alms-giving, all done in secret. 

 Do not parade your good deeds&
Matthew 6:1-6. 16-18.

So, we are invited to change our hearts throughout the forty days of the Lenten season, when we are also invited to accompany Jesus through the forty days he spent in the desert, praying, fasting and resisting temptation.   (Matthew 4:1-11.)
     

You may like to reflect on these texts and pray for the particular conversion of heart that you feel invited to. 

More resources: 
 
CAFOD.
Give it up 

From our International website:
March 9 2011

France: Lent, "Our Well-Springs are in You&"

Seeds of hope in Haiti.  
Haiti - Brushstrokes