Thoughts to live by: Ash Wednesday

5 March — Ash Wednesday

Readings — Jl. 2:12-18; Ps. 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17; Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18.

1. Lent in Latin is called Quadragesima, or "fortieth," echoing the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert and overcoming Satan's temptations before beginning his public ministry. Lent begins today, Ash Wednesday, and ends on the evening of Holy Thursday, the beginning of the Sacred Triduum.

2. Our ORDO notes that, during the Lenten Season, catechumens are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation, while the faithful prepare themselves by prayer and penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises (Ceremoniale Episcoporum, 249).

Ash Wednesday and the days of Holy Week take precedence over all solemnities and feasts. The "Alleluia" is not sung or recited from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence in the Church. Fasting is required from ages 18 to 60. Abstinence is required from age 18 (Code of Canon Law, 1252).

On Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed and imposed. The ashes are of palms blessed during the previous Palm Sunday. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may assist with the imposition of ashes. One of the following formulas may be used: "Repent and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

3. Early Christianity records the tradition of fasting, as attested by St. Augustine, St. Athanasius, and other Church Fathers. The fasting for 40 days was to prepare for the great event of Easter. Three traditional practices and sacrifices are enjoined for this preparation: prayer (justice toward God); fasting and abstinence (justice toward self); almsgiving and charitable works (justice toward our neighbors).

4. Abstinence from alcohol is a remembrance of the "sacred thirst" of Christ on the Cross. It is important to prepare for Lent to have a self-examination to consider what wrongs we need to repent and what amendments of life, Lenten resolutions, we need to do. Therefore, sacramental confession during Lent is strongly recommended as a preparation for Easter.

5. 1st Reading, Jl. 2:12-18 — The "Minor Prophet," Joel prophesied in the southern kingdom of Judah. But to this day, the time of his prophecy is still unresolved. If "the day of the Lord" refers to a plague of locust (see Jl. 1), then the prophecy was made during the reign of King Joash in the 9th century.

If the prophecy refers to a horde or army (Jl. 2), then the prophecy was post-exilic, i,e., after the Babylonian exile, 5th century. His prophecy is a warning of disaster to Jerusalem, the "day of the Lord."

"Blow the horn in Zion.... Let all the inhabitants on the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming!" (v. 1).

6. Joel calls Jerusalem to return to the Lord: "Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments and return to the Lord, your God. For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind a blessing" (vv. 12-14).

"Proclaim a fast" even for those who are not normally obliged to do so, the elderly, children, infants, bridegroom, bride (vv. 15-16). Let the priests and ministers weep and say, "Spare your people, Lord! Do not let your heritage become a disgrace among the nations"(v. 17). Then the compassionate Lord relented (v. 18).

7. Resp Ps. 51. 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 — King David's iconic lament for his sin with Bathsheba responds to Joel's call via the prophet Nathan: "Have mercy on me, God... in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me... I have done evil in your eyes" (vv. 3-6).

"A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.... Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit" (vv.13-14).

8. Gospel, Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18 — Sincerity in Almsgiving, Praying, and Fasting: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them" (v. 1).

When you give alms, do so without any publicity. When you pray, do not stand in street corners to be seen by people. The hypocrites give alms and pray only to win praise. The praise of people is their only reward (vv. 2-6).

When you fast, do not look gloomy or neglect your appearance so that people may see you fasting. Instead, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face. Your Father in heaven "sees what is hidden and will repay you" (vv. 16-18).

9. Our Readings today develop the Lenten theme of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We are to heed the lenten call to penance, reconciliation with our compassionate God, and renewal of life (Jl. 2; Ps. 51). We need to do these righteous deeds not to win public praise but with the sincerity of our hearts. Sincerity of heart earns God's approval and spiritual reward (Mt. 6).

10. Prayer — Grant, O Lord, that we may begin this Lenten Season with holy fasting so that, as we take up battle with spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Repent and believe in the Gospel!

Prayers, best wishes, God bless!