Ash Wednesday

Lent always reminds me of Paul Cioffi, SJ, may he rest in peace. (Actually, lots of things remind me of Paul Cioffi, SJ, may he rest in peace.) One of the mass prayers -- I think the opening prayer, either on Ash Wednesday or, more likely, the first Sunday of Lent -- refers to Lent as "this joyful season." Fr. Cioffi was the first person who called that to my attention. And he actually made some sense out of it: "Slow down. Relax. Luxuriate in the sure and certain knowledge that God is working to accomplish your salvation. A joyful season indeed!"