Word to the Wise
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - Ash Wednesday
[Joel 2:12-18 and 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 and Matt 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 and not your garments, and return to the Lord your God. [Joel] We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [2 Cor.] "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father." [Matt.]
Which is easier to do for Lent: to give up some treasured pleasure for forty days (not counting Sundays) OR to change one's heart and motives for doing "righteous deeds?" It seems to me that the scriptures weigh in on the side of changing the heart and motives. The emphasis is interior. We are urged to get our spiritual house in order! This is more than going to confession or to daily Mass, as important as those "righteous deeds" may be. It is a challenge to conversion of life.
Giving up chocolates or martinis may be a reminder that Lent is in session, but does that bring about any reconciliation with God? Almsgiving (those little cardboard "rice bowls" in the back of the church) is very commendable but will it continue after Lent?
Ash Wednesday is a day of massive public observance! We may walk around all day with the ashes marked on our foreheads as public witness. But the ashes are a one day thing that should remind us of something to remember all year long. Lent is a period of preparation for the events of Holy Week. But Jesus' life, death and resurrection are meant to be present in us all year long. Lent enables us to remember that fact. AMEN