As we begin our Lenten journey and enter more deeply into the spirit of Lent, the Church offers us words of encouragement through the prophet Isaiah. It is important as we start this fasting season to recognise that our Lenten practice is not simply a matter of self-denial and sacrifice to make amends for those times we have not been faithful to our calling; it is also intended to be a time of renewal, a time to reconnect with our deepest desires and recover what is most central to our identities. The Lord promises that He "will feed you on the heritage of Jacob your father," which means that He will bestow on us the patrimony He intended for us as children of God.

Lent is not a time for us to solely focus on ourselves and our own interests. Rather, it is a time to repair our relationships with others and with the Lord. It is a time to work towards building a more just and caring society, looking after those less fortunate than ourselves. In return, God promises us that a light will shine for us, removing the gloom from our hearts. He promises us both renewed strength and a richer, more abundant life using the images of a well-watered garden and a city rebuilt from its ruins. Let us resolve to make this Lent the time we begin again to live our lives in accord with our calling as disciples of our Lord.