The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 40 days before Easter. Why 40 days? Biblically, it reminds us of Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness and the 40 years of wandering of Israelites in the desert before entering the Promise Land.

The ashes are traditionally  made from burned palms of last year’s Palm Sunday and they are a sign of repentance, humility, and mortality. Which is why when ashes are distributed, the minister says, «Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel or Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return». We don’t wear ashes to proclaim our holiness, for publicity or even popularity. But to acknowledge that we are sinners who are in need of repentance and renewal.

Furthermore, Ash Wednesday is the day when Christians renew three practices: (FPG) fasting, praying, and giving. Why do we do these things?

1. FAST. We fast because choosing to go without something reminds us of our total dependence on God’s providential care and Jesus’ sacrifice for us. It teaches us also to live in solidarity with the least, the lost, and the last in our society. Many people give up something for Lent. They usually give up and surrender the things close to their hearts which is also revered as a form of fasting.
2. PRAY. We pray to grow closer to God and to deepen our relationship with him. We reflect on where we have fallen short of God’s hope for us and ask for forgiveness. We also ask him to help others and change our hearts, to experience conversion inside and out. We go to confession to realize this for us to be better agents of Christ’s love in the world.
3. GIVE. What God has given us, his blessings and graces, are not meant for us to keep for ourselves, but to share with other especially to the poor. Through this act of giving, even how big or small, we can able to follow Jesus’ example.

Lent invites us to think about how to help create a more just world and humane society by giving our resources: money, time, and talents. Fasting, praying, and giving improve our spiritual well-being by getting rid of all that is unnecessary and help us become more mindful of how God is working in our lives. We have to remember that this Lenten road of reflection, prayer, sacrifice, and penance ultimately leads to joy. It is the Christian reason of repentance (spring cleaning of our lives) that calls us to renew our faith and relationship in Christ.

What is the challenge for us this season? Here are some of a personal recommendations. Make a donation to a charity close to your heart. Reflect on the readings before the celebration of the Mass. Give up something that you really like. Embrace a sense of volunteerism for a greater cause. Do random acts of kindness every day. Pray for others, the Church, and the world.

February 14, 2024 | Ash Wednesday

Mt 6:1-6, 16-18.

Jesus said to his disciples:
«Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

«When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

«When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.»