Reflection for Ash Wednesday 2019
(Joel 2:12-18; 2Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6,16-18)
‘“Even now,’ says the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart...’”(Joel 2:12). The first and second readings both say the time to repent is 'now': “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2Cor 6:2).
The annual Lenten journey comes anew each year. The fragrance of lent, like the sacrificial smoke of incense, spreads and penetrates the Church with ever new ardour. Lent is new; it occurs now! ‘Now is the favourable time.’ Though it is stretched across 40 days, we take each day as it unfolds. Our past days are renewed in this ‘now’ of Lent, and our future receive boost and direction from this favourable moment.
Traditionally, all our Lenten observances are grouped under prayer, fasting and almsgiving, but how do we approach these in order to receive the mercy and favour announced by the Prophet Joel and Apostle Paul?
Jesus says we must practice them in secret! That means our prayer, fasting and almsgiving should be offered without the interference of the ego; without the pleasure of momentary reward or recognition. Also there should be no comparison or competition here. The fragrance of our Lenten observances belong only to God; “...and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
In the secret place of our hearts—in truth and silence of heart—we joyfully make our Lenten journeys. It is only when we offer our prayer, fasting and almsgiving from the secret room of our hearts can we swim in the “now” of salvation—the moment of God's favour—without anticipation for a long future, or depression from a dry past. Thus, to perform our Lenten observances in ‘secret’ removes tension from the ‘now', the present moment of each day of lent. This will enable us to freely and joyfully participate, enriched with grace and favour, with a renewed heart and mind.
God bless you.
Fr Jude Chinwe Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Mater Domini Community,
Alulu-Nike, Enugu.
Ash Wednesday March 6th, 2019.
