(Homily for March 1, 2017).
Lent is
here again; a period of forty days (not counting the Sundays) specially
dedicated to deep spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter. According to
Pope Francis in his message for Lent 2017: “Lent is a new beginning, a path
leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season
urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God
"with all their hearts” (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity
and to grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is the faithful friend who never
abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient
expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive.”
Every year, the voice of the Prophet
Joel ushers us into the season of Lent. In that first reading specially chosen
for Ash Wednesday, we hear a message of hope beautifully captured in the first
two words: EVEN NOW. When Joel says “even now”, his point of emphasis is to say:
Forget about the past, let the by-gone by gone for good. This is a moment to
take your eyes off the tiny rear-view mirror and start looking at the large
front screen ahead of you. As St. Paul says in our second reading this morning:
“Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” You can only
be late for something when the adjective “Late” appears before your name. In other
words, so long as you are still capable of breathing in and out, there is hope
for a better you.
Even now, says the Lord, “return to
me with all your heart…” God wants our hearts not our show. That is why Jesus
tells us today to beware of practicing piety before men in order to be seen by
them. We can actually enter this season of lent externally following the rites
and rituals without any inward transformation. It is not enough to receive Ash
on your head today and go about your entire day with a mirror ensuring that the
ash is still there and that as many people see you with ash on your forehead –
this would be mere hypocrisy which Jesus condemns. But then, if we reflect on
the meaning of the ash, the fact that we were made from dust and we shall one
day return to ordinary dust and if that makes us sober to the point of making
up our minds to avoid sin henceforth, then we have done exactly what Jesus
demands.
Whatever we do during this season of
lent, let us be careful to avoid showing off spirituality. Whether it is
prayer, fasting or almsgiving, let us do so secretly and allow these acts bring
about an interior conversion in our hearts. As Joel says, we are to return to
the Lord not simply because we feel like or because others are doing the same,
but so that God will change his mind and bless us rather than punish us for our
past sins.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, grant me the grace of genuine repentance. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Joel 2:12-18, 2nd Corinthians
5:20-6:2 and Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18).
Fr. Abu.
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