A Time for Reflection
and Prayer
In the first reading at Mass today from the Book of the
Prophet Joel we hear the prophet calling on the people of God to begin a time
of fasting and penitence so that they will return to God. And so it is with us
as we begin the season of Lent. We set our focus on a return to God’s grace by
recalling the covenant we have with Him and by rededicating ourselves to live
in that covenant relationship.
The ashes we receive today in the form of a cross on our
foreheads stand as a common denominator for all of us. They symbolize human
frailty, spiritual brokenness and the need for repentance and healing. Sin
brings death and ashes.
In Catholic churches around the world, Lent begins by the
reception of ashes made from the burning of last year’s palms. The priest makes the sign of the cross with
the ashes on the forehead of believers with the words, “Turn away from sin and
be faithful to the Gospel.” Ashes remind us of two things: our roots in the
soil – (God fashioned Adam out of the dust of the earth) and that physical
death comes to all of us, but through the power of the Cross we are reborn!
Lent is a special time for us to prepare spiritually for the
great celebration of our redemption, the Feast of Easter. We do this by prayer,
fasting, penance, sacrifice and doing good works for others.
Reflection by: Nick O’Hearn
No comments:
Post a Comment