Ash Wednesday's homily at Mass
I believe we are all very much familiar with what we call: “new year resolutions”. At the beginning of the year some of us take stock of our lives and aware of what we need to change, we commit ourselves to do it: starting a diet, eating healthy, exercising, counting our blessings...
Apparently, in a number of cases, the commitment does not last long and in other cases it does not even go beyond making the list. All is soon forgotten.
Apparently, in a number of cases, the commitment does not last long and in other cases it does not even go beyond making the list. All is soon forgotten.
Ash Wednesday might have something in common with these new year resolutions. Jesus' call to “repent” and to “believe” resounds in our hearts. So at the beginning of the Lenten Season we, Christians, take stock of our Christian life and clearly identify what is needed to be more faithful to our baptismal promises because, in fact, on the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday we will renew our baptismal promises once again!.
We then make a list of things we commit ourselves to do. Things, which, hopefully, will last beyond the first week of Lent and Easter!
There are many differences though, between those new year resolutions and Ash Wednesday. The new year resolutions seem to be more of a personal journey done on our own. Ash Wednesday is also a personal journey but a journey we do as a Church. We are never alone. We journey with the Church and the Church journeys with us.
That is why we are given daily readings to help us confront ourselves with the Word that gives us direction and fullness of life.
Our diocese, like other dioceses and our own bishops' Conference, prepares other resources to keep us awake, looking forward to the Easter celebrations and with a heart open to God's grace.
The Lenten Season is never a matter between me and my God. When the prophet Joel says in today's first reading “Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks – come back to me with all your heart” we know that together with making time for God in prayer and in listening to His Word, we can only go back to God by developing a culture of care: caring for ourselves, for our brothers and sisters and for the creation that God entrusted to us.
COVID19 has made it “all the more urgent that we rethink our styles of life, our relationships, the organization of our societies and, above all, the meaning of our existence” as Pope Francis wrote in "Fratelli Tutti" ("All brothers and sisters", 33) last year. Lent is, indeed, a time for great things!
Again, while many times the new year resolutions are about ourselves, Lent calls us to commit ourselves towards others and therefore we make a serious commitment to financially support the life of our Church. When possible we all receive envelopes. All of us. Every year I also take mine. Our priests take theirs because no other collection is so important to guarantee the life and service of the Church as the Lenten Appeal.
Even if you are unable to receive an envelope, make sure you find a way to share. We all know the saying: “when there is a will, there is – indeed – a way”.
I invite you to welcome this amazing season of God's grace with open hands and to journey together during this Lenten Season. As Paul says today: “Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation”.
Wish you a blessed journey towards Easter.
