Word to the Wise
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 - Ash Wednesday
[Joel 2:12-18 and 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 and Matt 6:1-6, 16-18]"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father." [Matthew] "Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God." [Joel]
The real challenge of Lent is interior, not exterior. The words of Jesus from the gospel scripture for today make that clear. Any exterior gesture must have an interior purpose, to bring us closer and deeper to God. Ash Wednesday is an amazing exterior observance. I meet people who ordinarily don't go to church regularly, but wouldn't miss Ash Wednesday, even though no one is required to go to church on that day! Do those ashes, which we wear for probably less than 24 hours, bring us any closer or deeper to God?
There are many ways to "observe" Lent. Traditionally, giving up a favorite treat has been popular. Others take and fill one of those little cardboard "rice bowls" that are widely known. Still others use the money they save from giving up a treat to donate to food banks or other agencies that help the poor here and abroad.. Others will make the effort to attend Mass every day or attend a parish mission or stations of the cross each week.
The same challenge arises with any of these external actions in Lent. Do they have any lasting impact on one's heart and love of God? Will the impact go beyond Lent, or is it simply a seasonal thing that we happily conclude at Easter and go on as if Lent were an interruption? Is Lent connected in our minds and hearts with a real preparation for the celebration of Easter? If Ash Wednesday successfully reminds us of these challenges and propels us toward a serious interior growth, we will already have a successful Lent! AMEN