Ash Wednesday

 Ash Wednesday, March 05. 2025

Joel. 2:12-18; 2 Cor. 5:20-6:2; Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18

(Image courtesy: Google)

A father wanted his son to really understand the importance of making right choices, of obeying and doing what’s right. So if his son made a bad choice or a wrong decision, he’s give him a hammer and a nail to take out into the backyard and pound into a fence post. When the son went through the whole day making good decisions, he’d let the boy go out and take out one of those nails. Until the boy was fifteen, there were always two or three nails in the post, -seemed he’d be nailing new ones as often as he’d pull out others. The youth started to mature and make better decisions and finally one day all the nails were removed from the post. That was when his dad took him back and said, “I want you to notice something about the post.” The son looked at the post for a moment and realized that all the nails that once were driven in and then later removed had left small holes in the post. The holes were the remaining effects of the nails. His dad said, “I want to tell you something about bad choices and decisions. Even though you may be totally forgiven from your bad choices or decisions, and there are no nails visible, there are the remaining effects, the consequences, of those choices or decisions; just like the holes in that fencepost.”

Once again we begin the season of Lent with this Ash Wednesday celebration. Lent is a time for repentance and renewal yet the Preface of Lent will call it the joyful season of Lent. It is a time for us to work on the effects and consequences of all the choices that we made in our life and begin life anew. 

We should remind ourselves that originally Lent was a time for preparation for Baptism and for Easter. Later on as the practice of adult baptisms died out, it became a time of baptismal renewal as well as a time of repentance and a proximate preparation for Easter. As we begin this new season may we find our joy in coming back to God.

The key ceremony on Ash Wednesday is the imposition of the ashes on our forehead. “Remember thou art dust and to dust thou shall return.” In a sense, this ritual reminds us of our beginning and our end, we are back to basics. It is meant to give us a right perspective of life. We are dust, we are finite, we are human, we are creatures, dependent and capable of mistakes. 

At times, with all our successes, our possibilities, our capabilities and the power we try to acquire, we are led to believe we can manage on our own, that we don’t need anybody, we don’t need God! Lent puts things in proper perspective. We need God, who does not look down on the dust that we are, our humanness, our weakness, but renew his covenant to human beings, he breathes life into the earth and creates us and recreates us.

Lent is a time of grace, an opportunity to turn away from sin and embrace the Gospel. The readings for today set the tone for this penitential season. In the first reading from the prophet Joel, we hear the urgent call: "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning." This is not just an external display of repentance but an interior transformation. Joel urges us to "rend our hearts and not our garments," emphasizing that true repentance is about a change of heart rather than mere outward ritual.

In the Gospel, Jesus warns against performing righteous acts for the sake of appearances. He speaks about fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, three pillars of Lenten spirituality, but He instructs us to do them in a way that seeks the Father’s approval rather than human recognition. True fasting is not just about abstaining from food but about detaching ourselves from whatever separates us from God. True prayer is not about empty words but about a sincere dialogue with the Lord. True almsgiving is not about seeking praise but about genuine concern for the needs of others.

This season is an invitation to examine our hearts. What are the obstacles that prevent us from fully embracing God’s love? Where have we placed our priorities? Are we truly living as disciples of Christ? Lent calls us to realign our lives, to let go of sin, and to deepen our commitment to God through prayer, fasting, and works of charity.

Fasting helps us discipline our desires and makes room for God. It is a reminder that our true fulfilment comes not from earthly comforts but from God alone. When we fast from food, distractions, or unhealthy habits, we create space in our lives for God’s grace to work. But fasting is not just about what we give up; it’s also about what we take up. This Lent, let us fast from anger, bitterness, and selfishness, and instead, cultivate patience, kindness, and generosity.

Prayer is our lifeline to God. It is through prayer that we deepen our relationship with the Lord and open our hearts to His will. This Lent, let us commit to spending more time in prayer, whether through Scripture, the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, or silent meditation. God desires to speak to us, to guide us, and to transform us. Let us make room in our busy lives to listen to His voice.

Almsgiving is love in action. It reminds us that our faith must be expressed through deeds. Christ calls us to care for the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. This Lent, let us be more mindful of those in need and seek ways to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. Whether through acts of kindness, financial generosity, or simply being present for someone who is struggling, let our love for God be made visible through our love for others.

As we receive the ashes today, let us do so with humble hearts, recognizing our need for God’s mercy and grace. Let these ashes not just be a mark on our foreheads but a reminder to carry the cross daily, to live out our faith authentically, and to journey towards Easter with renewed hearts.

May this Lenten season be a time of true transformation for each of us. May we embrace this time of penance and grace with open hearts, knowing that God is always ready to welcome us with His boundless love. Let us return to Him with all our hearts and walk in His ways.

(Kindly drop your thoughts and reflections in the comment section below)

Wish you all a grace-filled season of Lent.