Reflections on the readings for Ash Wednesday (March 2, 2022): JL 2:12-18; PS 51:3-4,5-6,12-13,14,17; 2 COR 5:20-6:2; MT 6:1-6,16-18
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
We will walk with Christ toward Calvary, the tomb, and the light of salvation. As in all things, He shows us the way to ultimately reach our goal.
In the Gospel used on Ash Wednesday Jesus tells us what He wants from us during Lent, indeed, throughout our Christian life. He speaks about almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. These actions were important to the people listening to our Lord, vital to the life of the Jewish people. He wanted them to be essential to His own followers as well. Christ also warned them about the traps into which too many people fall by focusing on themselves. God calls us to help others in need, especially the most vulnerable -- those who are poor, sick, outcast. However, if we reach out to others while drawing attention to ourselves, we fail to imitate the generous spirit of our Redeemer. “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Matthew 6:2-4).
Serving others in charity out of love for God and His troubled people must be our goal, not seeking admiration from others. And not even patting our ourselves on the back. God gives us everything from His bounty. So whatever we have He wants us to share with others. These blessings, abilities, and gifts are meant not only for our welfare but also for the good of our sisters and brothers. While we have the responsibility of caring for ourselves and our own families, we have a genuine obligation to our larger human family. The word alms comes from the ancient Greek for pity or mercy. Every day, certainly during Lent, is a magnificent opportunity to spread the mercy which we have received from the Almighty among His children who live down the block or an ocean away. Prayer and fasting also draw us closer to our beloved Lord. By spending more time in conversation with Him, we have less time to think about our personal comfort or preferences. Each day provides chances and choices for us to show our love and gratitude to God -- and to show our love and appreciation for His other children, our brothers and sisters, as well.