Wednesday
26th February 2020. Read Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 50, 2nd Corinthians
5:20-6:2 and Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18)_
_“Yet even
now,” says the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with
weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” *(Joel
2:12-13)*_
According
to Pope Francis: “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.”
The
summary of our readings today is: “no matter what the past has been, now is the
time to return back to God and this return must be real not a mere an external
show.”
Every
year, the voice of the Prophet Joel ushers us into the season of Lent with a
beautiful message of hope that begins with two powerful words: “EVEN NOW”. If
you are alive today and are able to read or listen to this message, it means
God has given you another chance. It is not too late to return with all your
heart to him.
St. Paul
in our second reading adds: “Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day
of salvation.” Procrastination, they say is the thief of time. Never keep until
tomorrow whatever good you can do today because you do not know what day would
be your last day on earth.
This very
fact is what is symbolized by the ashes we receive today. “Remember that you
are dust and unto dust, you shall return.” Ashes remind us of our own death;
the fact that one day, we shall become dust, the fact that we profit nothing if
we gain the world and lose our souls.
Make the
most of this Lent. Apply yourself fully to all the spiritual exercises with
sincerity and a genuine purpose. Do not show off. As Joel says: “Rend your heart,
not your garment.” And as Jesus says: “Beware of practising your piety before
men in order to be seen by them; for you will have no reward in heaven.”
During
this Lenten season, the church offers us certain great keys to aid our return
to God. These include prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Fasting from food helps
to discipline the flesh and put its desires to check but it must be accompanied
by more time devoted to prayer. Secondly, if we must fast from food, we must
feed the hungry. Your fast will not be complete without charity and almsgiving.
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, Psalm 50, 2nd Corinthians 5:20-6:2 and Matthew
6:1-6; 16-18).*
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