Word to the Wise
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - Ash Wednesday
[Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18]Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God.
Human nature and Catholic tradition being what they are, it is not unusual to hear people discussing what they give up for Lent. Some "penances" are fairly traditional like candy, alcohol, a favorite dessert, maybe even shopping or caffeine or tobacco! I sometimes wonder if the choice is made according to the ease with which one may share the information with others. Misery loves company! It's not often I hear someone mention something that has to do with the "whole heart." Occasionally I hear someone mention a quantity of devotional acts - X number of rosaries, etc.. The question we might ask ourselves when making the decision about a penitential act for Lent, be it physical, psychological or spiritual, is this: after 40 days will I be any closer to God or a better person in any way because of that Lenten practice? Or will I just be looking forward to getting back to whatever I gave up? (Not to mention the relief I will feel on Sunday when "it doesn't count.") The prophet Joel speaks of rending the heart and not the garments! By giving up a good food or drink or addiction, one may be healthier (a good goal in itself, but not necessarily a spiritual one), but will one be closer to God? Will the extra quantity of devotional actions accomplish that closeness? Will I love my neighbor any more? Some choose Lent as the time to begin a new way of living or acting: being less critical, smiling more, Will that end on Wednesday of Holy Week? I guess I'm suggesting that we pay less attention to the self-consciousness of wearing the ashes for a full day or to how we're going to get through 40 days of doing without "whatever" or DOING whatever, and pay close attention to what Joel says. Are we rending the heart and not the garments and returning to the Lord Our God. If so, great! If not, then why are we observing Lent at all? AMEN