Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday Joel 2: 12-18; Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:20; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

I expect you’ve already been asked, I have.

You know, the pre–Lenten question.

What are you giving up for Lent? 

We’ve come to make and experience Lent as a negative. We use the word “sacrifice” and turn its meaning on its head. Instead of relishing its true meaning, “to make whole” we grudgingly “give up.” Which means we can’t wait for Lent to be over before it even begins.

Instead of a negative, can we approach and journey this year through Lent as the liturgy proclaims – with joy?  "By your gracious gift each year [O God] your people await…with joy the Passover feasts…that they may be led to the fullness of grace” [Preface I of Lent]. The fullness of grace is how the archangel Gabriel addressed the Virgin Mary, “Hail Mary, full of grace!” But joy – filled grace is not just for Mary alone but for all of God’s sons and daughters. So…

Fast, yes, fast from food. Experience hunger. You won’t die. You may find yourself more energized. In that physical emptiness, become conscious of what you truly have that is of unsurpassed value in your life compared to food and so become deeply grateful; filled with thanksgiving from your heart.

Pray, but through this Lent do not pray for anything or anyone. Only offer the divine Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, pure praise. Come to deeply trust that God does take care of us and the people in our life.  Praise allows us to soar like the birds whom Jesus taught neither work nor worry and yet are taken care of by God.[See Matthew 6:26-27] Trust God from the heart.

Give to charity after the example of the poor widow. [See Luke 21:1-4]  That is, give enough that you have to choose to go without something.  Become aware of what is really essential in life; how much unnecessary “stuff” clutters our lives and how little we really need to be content.  Desire, as Buddhism teaches, (Jews and we Christians use the word covet) is the root of all unhappiness because enough will never be enough. Desire devours us from inside.  Consider the poorest of the poor in our world.  They are often the most welcoming, generous and happiest of people’s though they have little.  Become truly content and happy in and with Christ Jesus.

Gratitude, praise, trust and detachment from things.

Are these not the qualities of an ambassador for Christ? Are these not the lived out virtues that will draw people to Jesus through us?

What are you giving up for Lent?  Wrong question.

How are you going to live Lent…and beyond?