Ash Wednesday
Scripture:
Joel 2:12-18
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Reflection:
Between the jubilant melodies of Fat Tuesday and the delightful chocolate bunnies of Easter Sunday lies the season of Lent.
In today’s unapologetically secular world, ever rife with materialism, some traces of Lent still show up in common conversation, like the act of “giving something up” and remembering Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday.
For active Christians, the true treasures unfold when they engage wholeheartedly in the Church’s plea for reconciliation with God during the Lenten season. This period unfolds like a rich tapestry, starting with ashes and culminating in the profound observances of Holy Week. Within this structured journey lies a path to reconnect with the divine—a journey marked by prayer, fasting, abstinence, almsgiving, and acts of sacrifice.
To seek reconnection and reconciliation, we are called to deepen our prayers, such as drawing strength from today’s sacred words of scripture: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Engaging in prayers and practices like the Stations of the Cross and the sacrament of Confession during Lent can lead us a little closer to the purity of heart we seek.
Reconnection and reconciliation also involve sincere fasting and abstaining, practices essential not only for spiritual nourishment but also for physical well-being. Embracing an act of sacrifice, whether it be abstaining from over-indulgence or offering up something for the benefit of somebody suffering, is a profound commitment to self-renewal.
Moreover, what better way to manifest reconciliation than through almsgiving—by generously giving our time, talents, and resources to those who need them? This act not only brings joy to the recipient but also nurtures the giver’s soul. Let this season of Lent serve as a training ground for a continued life of generosity and good deeds throughout the year, leading us toward the purity of heart we yearn for.
Jack Dermody is the editor of the CrossRoads bulletin for the Passionist Alumni Association and a member of the Migration Commission for Holy Cross Province. He lives in Glendale, Arizona.