Friends, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season of the Church’s Liturgical Year C, a significant period of preparation for Easter in the Catholic Church. According to the Church’s teaching, the weekdays of Lent from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Palm Sunday take precedence over the memorial of the saints. Ash Wednesday is a solemn day that sets the tone for repentance and spiritual reflection. As Christians, we use this time to reflect on our lives, seek forgiveness, and renew our commitment to our faith. Lent is not just a period of “fulfilling an obligation given to us by Our Mother church” during this period of the year, but it marks the beginning of an essential part of our salvific history. It is truly a season of re-living or re-enacting the entire Paschal Mystery of Christ in our day-to-day lives.
Friends, today’s readings remind us of the importance of this season of Lent, which begins with our celebration of Ash Wednesday. The prophet Joel calls us to repentance through; “Fasting, mourning, and weeping.” Paul calls this season; “A moment of grace, a favorable time, and of course, the day of salvation.” Brothers and sisters, we are invited to use this season to reconcile ourselves with both man and God. Like our first reading, the gospel reminds us of the most important virtues of this season; “almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.” Not only does it highlight these virtues, but it also reminds us that our Lenten observance should be carried out with humility.
Friends, according to Old Testament practices, wearing ash is a sign of shame, defeat, and most importantly, a symbol of repentance. For us Christians, it means more than these. It also marks an essential point in our history of salvation. Though the ash we are going to receive today is a symbol of death, it strengthens our hope of rising with Christ. Paul reminds us that; “If we die with Christ, we will also rise with him” (Romanos 6:8). Today, we shall freely receive the ash made from the palms of the last Palm Sunday. This ash is a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessings of the Church. It symbolizes our voluntary decision and willingness to walk and suffer with Christ this season. It also reminds us that life passes away on Earth. Our Mother Church reminds us of this fact through these words; “Remember, Man you are dust, and unto dust, you shall return.”
Friends, Lenten season does not end with Ash Wednesday as many of us think. This is because many will simply receive the ash today and disappear. No, this is not the right way to observe this season. The best way to celebrate the Lenten season is by attending liturgical functions like Stations of the Cross and retreats. It also involves taking advantage of the sacraments, especially the sacraments of reconciliation, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, and going on pilgrimages. It involves moments of profound reflection on the mystery of our salvation. It is a period of reconciliation, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, as our readings remind us today. Of course, we must not forget that this season provides us with an excellent opportunity to carry out both spiritual and corporal works of mercy. It is important to remind ourselves that we need a lot of discipline, courage, perseverance, faith, and tranquility of mind to triumph this season. So, with the psalmist, let us implore the Lord this season; “Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.”
By: Fr. Ben Chola mccj
I wish you a fruitful and prayerful Lenten Season
We are pilgrims of Hope
