Homily for Ash Wednesday

Today we begin the season of Lent by gathering together and placing on our foreheads a mark made from ashes. It’s a pretty unusual thing for people do but it is also something that has a deep significance and a long history for the people of God.

Ashes remind us of our helplessness and our dependence on God who alone is our help and salvation. The church traces the use of ashes from ancient traditions to outwardly remind us of the need to turn away from sin and turn toward God in whom alone there is forgiveness. It is by turning to God that we can move forward from darkness and sin into new light and new life.[1]

Lent is often a time when people give something up. Often, at the end of Lent, people resume whatever it is that they gave up. There is a certain value to sacrificing these things. Lent, however, is much more than giving something up for a few weeks.

The word Lent comes form an old English word for springtime, referring to the time when the earth is released from the cold grip of winter. Lent is the time for revival and renewal; it’s the springtime of the spirit.

As we get older, we realize that we won’t be completely transformed in a few weeks, regardless the dedication and fervor we put into this holy season. Such total conversion is something that takes place throughout our lifetime. But each little step that we take is very important to the whole process of transformation. Lent is a time when we can take a look at one or two areas of our lives that need some work and to, hopefully, have some renewal during this time of focused prayer.

Each one of us has some part of our life that needs healing or reworking. Each one of us is called during this season of Lent to do more than give something up for a few weeks. Lent is far deeper and far more important than that. Lent is a time for us to make lasting change; change that will make us better persons and change that will bring us closer to what God has called us to be.[2]

Let us pray for the wisdom we need to determine what area of our lives is most in need of change, and may we have the humility and courage to seek the help we need.

 

[1] Collins, Kenneth W., 2000

[2] Krempa, Rev. S. Joseph, Daily Homilies, Seasonal and Sanctoral Cycle, Volume 3, Alba House, New York, NY, 1985. Pp. 59-60.