Word to the Wise
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - Ash Wednesday
[Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18]We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. One thing that can be said about Ash Wednesday is that it can make Catholics visible. I know there are people who will show up for Ash Wednesday who aren't Catholic and some who are Catholic but only show up on Ash Wednesday. Still, the mark of those ashes makes us all ambassadors for Christ for at least a few hours. (Do you leave the mark on for that long?) Of course, Jesus warns us about doing this just so people will notice and praise us. Joel says we'd better make a point of intentionally turning to God. Hmmmm - all different styles of advice. Going to church on Ash Wednesday, which is NOT a holy day of obligation, seems almost a compulsion for even the most remote Catholic. It is an intentional act. Are there some other intentional ways of witnessing to faith in Lent besides "giving up" something? Think about it! My dad used to say he was giving up watermelon and grand opera, neither of which he liked. "Giving up" something may give us something to talk about, but is it something lasting. If we impact the faith of someone by being an intentional Christian and Catholic, we do something lasting. Again, it's worth thinking about for an acceptable Lent! AMEN