Still others observe forty days beginning with today, Ash Wednesday. By observing Ash Wednesday with a ceremony we officially begin the season of Lent. When word of this service began to circulate someone commented to me that usually we find ourselves a couple of weeks away from Easter and wonder how we got there so fast. This gives us the opportunity to mark Lent with a definite beginning. Our two readings suggest quite clearly, I think that we should be about doing something instead.
Repentance calls for a change.
Sorrow means we are regretful for not having done it sooner. Sacrifice means the action is not convenient. We are going out of our usual routine, outside the comfort zone. Jesus seems to be thinking of Isaiah. He certainly echoes the same sentiment.