25th February 2009 :: Ash Wednesday
The observance of Lent in times past was much different than today. It was above all a very sombre season, a season of recollection and denial. Churches were devoid of flowers, people could not get married, dance halls were closed and the Church insisted on strict observance of fasting, one meal and two collations. However I wonder did they really reflect on the Scriptures that the Church presents us with today? Certainly they observed the warnings of the Prophet Joel in the First Reading. But what about that gospel reading which encourages us to fast, give alms and pray, but all done in secret and only known to Almighty God.
That Gospel reading brings us to the heart of the journey we all begin today, a journey in which we will for the next six weeks prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. It seems strange almost that we will be signed with Ash, a very noticeable sign on our foreheads when the gospel encourages us to do everything in the privacy of our own rooms. However the Ash is not there to attract acclaim, it is a very public sign that we really are nothing but dust and unto dust we will one day return. Some people feel they must give up something for Lent, sugar or sweets or similar things. However we can also take on things for Lent. In a parish community such as this we could come to Mass each day, we could go to the Lenten Talks that are arranged on Thursday evenings, we could spend some time in prayer each day before the Blessed Sacrament, we could pray at home first thing in the morning and last thing at night. This year the Pope's Lenten message speaks about rediscovering fasting as a daily Lenten exercise, and again all done in moderation and unknown to anyone else
Today Ash Wednesday 2009 we are once more invited to conversion; to a turning back once more to the ways of Christ and his gospel. We will need his grace to succeed in our undertakings and even if we fail, we need to make sure that we start again in our journey towards the joy of Easter Sunday and the empty tomb. In the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert he no doubt had the prayers of his mother Mary to support him, She is our Mother too and she will help us also by her prayers and above all by her example. Let us live Lent well so that we may truly be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
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Homilies Archive
17nd May 2009
26th April 2009
3rd Sunday of Easter
12th April 2009
Easter Sunday
9th April 2009
Holy Thursday
29th March 2009
5th Sunday in Lent
22nd March 2009
4th Sunday in Lent
17th March 2009
St. Patrick's Day
15th March 2009
3rd Sunday in Lent
8th March 2009
2nd Sunday in Lent
1st March 2009
1st Sunday in Lent
25th February 2009
Ash Wednesday
22nd February 2009
8th February 2009
1st February 2009
25th January 2009
18th January 2009
11th January 2009
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
6th January 2009
Feast of the Epiphany
4th January 2009
2008 HOMILIES ARCHIVE
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