Today, Ash Wednesday, is a day of prayer and fasting. It marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent. We priests are edified by the crowds of the faithful who are drawn to our Masses on Ash Wednesday, for this day is not a holy day of obligation and it falls right in the middle of the week. Many who do not come to Mass regularly on Sunday still want to come to church on Ash Wednesday. The message of Ash Wednesday has deep resonance on the lives of the faithful.
Yet, perhaps for many of us Christians, Ash Wednesday may take on a deeper meaning this year. It was in the middle of Lent last year that most of our lives were upended by the pandemic. As we mourn those who were lost this past year, as we acknowledge the challenges and sufferings we have endured this past year, we are reminded daily of our own mortality. As we see hope in the vaccines that many in our society are starting to receive, may we also find hope in the promise of Christ’s resurrection and the new life it offers all of us.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the 40 days of Lent, a time we dedicate to prayer, fasting, and reflection in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery in the Easter Triduum. Lent is a time for us to refocus our lives and to re-examine the truths of our faith. It is in our commemoration of the Lenten and Easter seasons that we commemorate our true identity as disciples of Christ.
Ash Wednesday is the perfect way to start this holy season that calls us into self-examination, self-denial, and a contemplation of the mystery and grace of God's mercy, Lent calls us to give to those who are most in need in acts of service and charity, to give them hope, sustenance, and comfort.
This has been a tough year for us in a lot of ways. We have seen a lot of violence and division in our country. We have had many challenges and changes in the workplace, in schools, in our churches, in the places that we frequent in our daily lives. Many of us have felt isolated and overworked, without much chance for rest and relaxation. Just like the season of Advent that we commemorated right before Christmas, Lent help us to look at our lives and to put all of this into perspective. The prophet Joel asks us to rend our hearts, not our garments, and to return to the Lord our God. As the holy season of Lent begins, may the Lord help us turn our hearts to him. Let the ashes that mark us today remind us of the need of repentance and conversion. May our repentance be truthful, humble, and sincere. May our prayers be open to your guidance and grace, O Lord. May our acts of charity be generous and gracious, without restriction or conditions. During this holy season of Lent, may our loving God lead us on the path of holiness.
No comments:
Post a Comment