Readings: Joel 2:12-18, Ps. 51:3-6,12-14,17, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, 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)
Today, we begin the season of Lent. We have just heard the words of the Prophet Joel, “Even now”. With Lent, God is giving us another chance to return to Him with all our hearts. Does this mean we have been away from God? No. It only means we have an opportunity now to draw closer to God using the keys provided to us by Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Joel warns about cosmetic acts of repentance, which often do not yield any fruit. Lent is not the time to show off ashes or give anyone the impression of spirituality. Rend your hearts, not your garments. If you must fast, do not let anyone know it. Do not be loud with almsgiving, and remember to shut your door when you pray. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus warns: “Beware of practising your piety before men to be seen by them; for you will have no reward in heaven.”
In our second reading, Saint Paul presents an urgent message, “Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Come to think of it, the acceptable day is not the day of rejoicing; it is the day of repentance. Remember that Jesus taught us that there is great joy in heaven when one sinner repents. You have a choice today: to make God happy or to continue in your old ways.
Never keep until tomorrow whatever good you can do today, because you do not know what day will be your last day on earth. This fact is symbolised by the ashes we receive today. “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust, you shall return.” Ashes remind us of our death, the fact that one day, we shall become dust, and the fact that we profit nothing if we gain the world and lose our souls.
Why must we make efforts during this Lent to repent? Joel says, “He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and repents of evil.” Look around you; there is already enough evil and suffering in the world. Your decision to repent today goes a long way toward making the world a much better place. More still, you may also be averting punishment for your sins.
Pay attention to the last line of today’s first reading: “Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.” (Joel 2:18). Look around you. Listen to the news. There is so much pain and suffering in our land. No one is secure anymore. Thousands have been kidnapped. Many have lost their lives. Our leaders do not seem to care. The future appears bleak. Lent offers us an opportunity to seek God’s mercy upon this land.
In other words, even if you don’t feel like taking this season seriously, make some sacrifice on behalf of the millions who continue to languish in multi-dimensional poverty and hopelessness. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promised, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Today’s responsorial psalm highlights the penitential nature of the season of Lent. Beyond seeking personal forgiveness and reconciliation with God, this is a time for us to beg for God’s mercy for our collective sinfulness. Let us use this season of Lent to pray as Moses did, begging God on behalf of the Israelites when they apostatised in the desert.
Maybe God will hear our prayers and avert these disasters we now see daily. Who knows, maybe God will take away our shame and ridicule among the nations and silence the mockery of those who regard us as a disgraced country. Maybe our Stations of the Cross and other spiritual exercises will end the systemic persecution of Christians in various parts of the country. Maybe our children will be able to return to school safely.
Let us pray: Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Ash Wednesday, Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Joel 2:12-18, Ps. 51:3-6,12-14,17, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6,16-18)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu