Homily for Ash Wednesday

Jl 2:12-18

Ps 51

2 Cor 5:20-6:2

Mt 6:1-6; 16-18

We begin the 40-day procession through Lent with the imposition of ashes, a symbol of sin and repentance. While described as penitential, lent is more than merely penitential.  It is, or should be, transformational as well.

The first reading from Joel puts our observance into an ancient context.  Joel calls for an assembly. He decrees a fast in the setting of a liturgy.  Blow the trumpets.  Gather the people.  Everyone from the youngest to the eldest is invited. The same is true of the Eucharistic banquet. The young, the elderly, and all those in between are invited, if they choose to accept that invitation.

Today we come together to listen to the word of God. We gather to receive the ashes that remind us of our mortality and call us to undergo a change of heart so as to live more closely in accord with the Gospel.  We are assembled here to receive the True Body and Blood of Christ whose passion, death, and resurrection we will recall at the end of these forty days. 

Lent is not just a season of “give ups,” abstaining from the usual suspects: smoking, chocolate, beer, desert, meat, and so on.  It is a time of taking on: taking on time to meditate on the Gospel, taking on time for spiritual reading, taking additional time for Mass, prayer, or adoration.  It is a time to heed the advice of St. Jane de Chantal, foundress of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary,  “We cannot always offer God great things but at each instant we can offer little things with great love.”  Offering little things with great love may be a more difficult mortification and sacrifice than giving up chocolate or beer for the next forty days, if not for life.

The second reading in today’s Office of Readings is a letter from St. Clement, pope, to the Corinthians. It lays out a road map for Lent.  “We should be humble in mind, putting aside all arrogance, pride and foolish anger. . . . Recall especially what the Lord Jesus said when he taught gentleness and forbearance.  Be merciful, so that you may have mercy shown to you.  Forgive, so that you may be forgiven.  As you treat others, so you will be treated . . .” 

Lent is a time to challenge ourselves to be more fully what we want to be but may not know how to become. If that becoming involves quitting smoking, so be it.  If it involves taking extra time in prayer or contemplation, so be it.  

There are two formulae for the imposition of ashes. 

“Remember, thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return” reminds us of our common mortality 

“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospels” is solid advice for living. 

At the beginning of this holy season we are called to meditate on the first and to live the second. 

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Ash Wednesday certainly got here quickly after Christmas.  Rather like a 33 1/3 played at 45.  An entire generation of kids have no clue what this means.  Their loss.  Even Tennessee Ernie Ford sounded like Alvin the Chipmunk when played at 78.  

All three photos come from Campion Center when I lived there.  I rather suspect my next significant move will be to Campion.  Assisted living or nursing home.  

 +Fr. Jack, SJ, MD