Jl 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Today is the beginning of the season of
Lent, which will culminate during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy
Thursday. We call this day “Ash Wednesday” because, traditionally, we do during
the Mass the blessing and giving of ashes. This penitential rite reminds us, in
a symbolic manner, of our frail, limited human nature and of our great need of
God’s mercy and forgiveness. As the minister imposes the ashes on our
foreheads, he says either one of the two formulas: “Turn away from sin and be
faithful to the gospel” (Mk 1:15) or “Remember, you are dust and to dust you
will return (cf. Gen 3:19).
Lent is a 40-day penitential season, but it
is not all about human sinfulness. In fact, during this season, the Church
would like us to reflect on the unmerited benevolence of God. Our prayer and
reflection would reach its climax during the celebration of the paschal mystery
of Christ our Lord. By then we will be reminded that God has loved us so much
to the point of allowing His only Son to die on the cross in order to save us
from death which is the effect of sin. The Lord’s resurrection will renew our
hope that someday we all will share eternal life with God in heaven.
The season of Lent provides us with the
special opportunity to respond positively to God’s gratuitous offer of love and
forgiveness. The first reading reminds us that God “is all tenderness and
compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness and ready to relent” (Joel
2:13). In the second reading, Saint Paul appeals that we be reconciled to God
because He has already done His part. God in Jesus has entered the sinful human
condition in order to help us rediscover the beautiful image that we lost by
sinning. The favorable time of salvation is already now, not later. God wants
us to leave sin behind and to start walking in His ways.
The gospel mentions three traditional
practices of the Lenten season, namely: almsgiving, fasting and prayer. These
three are not mere external penitential requirements; rather, they are meant to
usher us towards living fully the Christian life.
When we give alms, we are reminded that the
goods of the earth are meant for all humanity to enjoy. How conscious are we of
the presence of so many poor, hungry, sick people around us? By sharing
generously and unconditionally our possessions, we can be the Good Samaritan
that Jesus wanted us to become for others.
When we fast, we learn to discipline our
natural appetite and desires. Often, we easily give in to our selfish cravings
for non-essential things of the world, things that do not truly contribute to
our total nourishment and well-being. Naturally, when we deny ourselves of some
things, we also save some money. Our fasting becomes more meaningful when we
give what we have saved to the poor and the needy.
When we pray intensely and heartily, we
become more and more sensitive to the will of God in our lives. Particularly,
during the Lenten season, God wants to create a pure heart in us and to renew
within us a steadfast spirit. Let us then open our hearts to God’s grace and
begin to follow the way of Jesus Christ our Lord!
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