Ash Wednesday 2023 | Homily for 22 February 2023

Yes, it’s true, Ash Wednesday is here and this means that the season of Lent has begun and I’m guessing that’s not something you look forward to. Let us have a look at what Lent is all about and if is there more to Lent than only giving up meat and alcohol for 40 days.

First, a little bit about the history and symbolism associated with Ash Wednesday. The word Lent is from an Old English term meaning springtime, and by the second century the term was being used to describe the period of individual fasting, almsgiving and prayer in preparation for Easter.

Why 40 days?

The number 40 is very significant in the Bible. Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving instructions from God for 40 days and 40 nights; Noah and his entourage were on the Ark waiting for the rains to end for 40 days and 40 nights; and Elijah “walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb”. Mostly, though, the 40 days of Lent identifies with the time our Lord Jesus spent in the desert fasting, praying and being tempted by the devil  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert”.

Ever wondered why Lent begins on Wednesday?

Though the early Christians were practicing the 40 days fast before Easter, they were not entirely sure how to count the 40 days. Unlike Christmas which is always celebrated on December 25^th, Easter doesn’t have a fixed date on which it is celebrated as it depends on the vernal or spring equinox. (CCC 1170).  

In the Latin Church, six weeks or 42 days were used to identify the Lenten period, however, as Sundays are not prescribed days of fasting, so six Sundays were subtracted and there remained only 36 fasting days. It is widely believed that in the early seventh century, Pope Gregory I, also known as Saint Gregory the Great resolved this situation by adding as fast days the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the first Sunday of Lent. Thus the Lenten 40-day fast, or the Great Fast as it was known, begins on a Wednesday.

Why do we use Ashes?

There is a very strong tradition of using ashes as an outward sign of grief, a mark of humility, mourning, penance and morality right from the Old Testament times. The Old Testament is replete with stories describing the use of ashes. The Books of Job, Daniel, Jonah and Maccabees contain narratives illustrating the use of ashes as a sign of repentance. Also in the early church, there was widespread use of ashes. Ashes were imposed on the early catechumens and also as part of the public penitential process. The ashes are made from palm branches, taken from the previous year's palm Sunday Mass and symbolize the dust from which God made us.

For many of us, Lent is equivalent to the tradition of abstaining from meat or alcohol. However, the readings chosen for this day highlight the deeper significance of Lent.

The first reading taken from the minor prophet Joel highlights the importance of a complete return to God. “rend your hearts and not your clothing.” Among the Jews, to rend or tear the garments was a mark of great grief, and signified that the individual who did so was overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, or had encountered some terrible calamity. The prophet Joel knew that someone could tear their garments without tearing their heart, and he described the kind of heart-repentance that really pleases God. And will God forgive us if we repent? Beyond a doubt. God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.

In the second reading taken from St. Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul gives us a very clear message - Salvation is reconciliation with God. Jesus took our sin, but gave us His righteousness. All prompted by the love of God for us! This is not the time for Christians to be consumed with ease and comfort and self-focus. It is time to get busy for the Lord and to be workers together with Him.

In the Gospel according to Matthew, the verses deal with the practice of three kinds of religious acts: charitable giving, praying, and fasting. The common element in all of them is that these are not to be done in a way that attracts attention to oneself, or God will not reward them. Often we come across churches, schools and other institutions filled with the names of those who have contributed to them. And also at times, we notice that when any charitable work is being done, the number of photographs clicked is much more than the aid provided. Many times, praying and fasting are more to be noticed by people than communicating with God.

During the season of lent, beyond the traditional methods of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting we are to bear in mind that the essential element is not what we eat or do not eat, rather it is about changing hearts, interior conversion, and reconciliation with God and others. The words of St. John Chrysostom beautifully summarize the meaning of Lent.

Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.

If you see a poor man, take pity on him.

If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.

Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies.

Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.

Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.

Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.

Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.

Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.

For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers and sisters?

May He who came to the world to save sinners strengthen us to complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us.

So as we begin this season of Lent, I invite you to spend some time in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament or at home and ask God to show what he wants you to change in your life. I pray that this lent may be a period where we listen to God and rend our hearts and truly repent and believe in the Gospel. May God bless us all.