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"Repent and Believe in the Gospel." |
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On Ash Wednesday we enter Lent through the Tradition of fasting and abstinence and the sprinkling of ashes. In these purposeful acts we are humbled and reconfigure our hearts to be more like Christ as we move toward reconciliation and greater communion with our Triune God. Fasting and abstinence are a beautiful and powerful way to acknowledge our sins and live out our penance. We are even invited by Our Lord Jesus Christ to fast: "When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. An your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Mt 6:16-18) In the sprinkling of the ashes we are reminded that "the LORD God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (Gn 2: 7) and that "by the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Gn 3:19) Ashes are an ancient form of mourning. We hear about people sitting in ashes or dust in several places in the Old Testament when they are in mourning. Usually it comes before a conversion of heart and and the visible sign of God's grace active in the lives of those in mourning. Ash Wednesday invites us to mourn our sins and that cause the loss of God's love and grace when we turn away from Him. During Lent we are reminded that He is always there for us when we are ready to turn back toward him Love and Mercy. |
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