The coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, Tomás Morel Diplán, Last night he called on the Catholic faithful to live Lent as a time of real conversion and profound review of life.
During his homily at the Ash Wednesday mass, a celebration that marks the beginning of the liturgical time of preparation for Easter, the priest explained that the imposition of ashes on the forehead is a sign that invites us to look at the heart and recognize human fragility.
Morel Diplán indicated that this gesture represents penance, but also an opportunity to renew friendship with God through concrete and significant changes.
In his reflection, before the congregation that attended the Primate Cathedral of America, in the Colonial City, in the capital, the archbishop exhorted each believer to develop a personal project of spiritual growth in those 40 days.
He stated that those who do not define a purpose can become trapped in routine without realizing how time passes.
“It is not about living Lent as always, but about taking a serious path of transformation,” said Diplán, presiding over the ceremony, which was also attended by other priests, deacons and church leaders.
The religious leader highlighted the three fundamental pillars of that liturgical time: prayer, fasting and almsgiving, practices that he claims strengthen the relationship with God, help personal mastery and promote solidarity with others.
Learn to listen
Diplán highlighted the need for inner silence to learn to listen.
“We live surrounded by noise and distractions. If we are not silent, we do not listen to God or others,” he reflected.
The coadjutor archbishop asked the faithful to put aside selfishness and indifference, following the example of Christ on the cross, and encouraged the faithful to assume a concrete commitment that allows them, at the end of Lent, to be able to say that they have walked with God and have taken firm steps towards a more authentic Christian life.
