ASH WEDNESDAY
First Reading - Joel 2:12-18
Second Reading - 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Gospel - Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
In the first reading, the prophet Joel invites people to the life of repentance. The invitation to repentance includes turning of heart to God. This repentance, for Job, is more than mere apparent manifestation of repentance. The prophet is keen to encourage people to the change of heart which is disposed and willing to follow the commandment of God and thus become faithful to him. The prophet instills hope and confidence into the hearts of people in compassion of God who abounds in mercy and love. The invitation to fast and hold an assembly refers to the inclusion of every person to this noble task of imploring God's mercy irrespective of age and status. He also assures God's mercy for such contrite hearts.
In the second reading, Paul teaches that God's act of reconciliation in Christ did not end with Christ's death and resurrection. It continues in the ministry of the apostles who have been given the task of proclaiming it to the world. Paul claims that the task of proclamation of reconciliation is divinely authorized so that the world can come in terms for peace with God. He thus invites everyone to avail oneself of this gift of reconciliation through the ambassadors of Christ.
The gospel passage of today lays special emphasis on three penitential acts or religious piety of the lenten season; prayer, fasting and alms giving. Jesus makes it clear that the practices of prayer, fasting, and alms giving should not become an occasion to parade our righteousness before people rather they should be done as a disposition to seek God's mercy. In other words, they should be performed not to seek people's attention but to draw God's mercy. The noble practices of prayer, fasting and alms giving should be done to please God rather than to seek appreciation of people. This attitude , as Jesus highlights, will win reward from God.
Dear friends, the lenten season is an occasion to strengthen our relationship with God by our life of repentance manifested in our prayer, fasting and alms giving. However, we are reminded today that our religious piety should not be directed to attract admiration and attention of people rather it should be done in a disposition to seek God's mercy for our sinfulness.
St. Paul claims that he is an ambassador of Christ to proclaim the good news of repentance. Today, every priest stands as an ambassador of Christ to dispense God's mercy at the confessional. The season of lent draws our attention to make the best use of the grace of mercy bestowed on us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Let's always make use of God's grace through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As Jesus, referring to the casting of the demon from the boy, says:"It's by prayer and fasting that (casting out demons) can be done.'' This is also applicable to us. Our evil inclinations or evil within or outside can be overcome by our prayer and fasting. Let our prayers and fasting be an occasion to fight evil within and outside through the grace of God.
During this season of Lent, let our alms giving become an occasion to dispense God's mercy to the needy and the underprivileged. Let's become ambassadors of Christ by reaching out to people who are in need of material things, spiritual support, emotional sympathy and intellectual guidance. Let in everything God's mercy and love be shared with everyone.
May God help us in this Lenten Season to become strong in faith, hope and love.
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