Using the analogy of building a house, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec posed a series of questions to a filled St. Joseph Cathedral on Ash Wednesday, as the church goers prepared to embark on their Lenten journey.

"What are we doing with the materials God has sent us? Are we using them as He intended? Or are we trading them off for some cheap substitute?"

Bishop Kmiec continued, "These days give us a time to look over what we have done, to repair what is broken and to resolve to do a better job going forward."

Listen to Bishop Kmiec's Ash Wednesday homily

The bishop said Lent is a time for people to get back to what is most basic:  "Our relationship with the Lord."

"Jesus is looking for real, heartfelt convesion," the bishop said.  "He doesn't just want a change in our behavior, but a change in our heart.  That can only happen if we come to Mass and make sacrifices, not out of a sense of duty, but out of love for the Lord."