Ash Wednesday
"Mt 6:1-6, 16-18"
Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of practising your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus...when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you".
Today we start Lent, a time of preparation for Easter. The word "Lent" comes from an old English word which means "springtime". It reminds us of 'spring cleaning' and the new life evident in nature at this time of year. Lent is a time of special grace for us when we can do some spring cleaning in our lives and enjoy new life as a result. Sometimes people ask, 'What are you doing for Lent?' And they expect an answer like: 'I'm giving up chocolate!' Jokingly, someone would say that he is giving up 'homework' or a particular chore... But there is only one thing that we should all strive to give up during Lent – sin!
To encourage people to try to do their best, you often hear motivational slogans like 'You can do anything if you really believe', or 'You are powerful' or 'You have no limits'… Instead, if you attend Mass today you will receive the ashes on your forehead. Then you will be reminded that you are 'dust and unto dust you shall return'. That's the way the Church explains to us the purpose of Lent: an exercise in holy desire. Lent is like a stool which has three legs: prayer, sacrifice and charity. Lent cannot stand if a leg is missing. So our Lenten resolutions should be in these three areas. Maybe we do not need to pray more but to pray better, to offer our usual mortifications but with a firmer intention; to be more generous when we give, and always give with a smile... Think carefully: What can I do during Lent that will make a big difference to my prayer life?
Mary, my Mother, help me to be generous this Lent, to make a real change in my life of prayer, in my sacrifice and in charity with those around me.
