Sermon Preached on Ash Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ash Wednesday; Mass
Joel 2:1-2,12-17, Psalm 103:8-14; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
Joel 2:1-2,12-17, Psalm 103:8-14; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
Today is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for Easter. On Ash Wednesday, when ashes are imposed, the words “remember you are dust and to dust you will return” are spoken. When I hear those words, I am reminded of the common humanity I share with the everyone on earth, rich or poor, sick or healthy, friend or stranger – we are all made of the same stuff, and Jesus loved us all so much that he died and rose so that we could all have eternal life in him.
I think that the traditional methods of observing Lent, prayer and fasting, can be tools to live out our calling by Jesus to love one another as much as he loved us.
Perhaps this Lent you’ve decided to fast, or you’ve decided to give something up for the duration of Lent. You might take the money saved each week and give it directly to one of the many soup kitchens in the city. Maybe you’ve decided to set aside time for prayer and reflection this Lent. When carving out that time, perhaps you can also set aside time to volunteer in some outreach or charity program. Maybe this Lent you’ve decided to attend a church service each week or each day. You might try to bring one person with you each week, someone who hasn’t been to church in a whole or maybe someone who has never been to church at all.
Lent is a time that is often used to do what we can to bring ourselves into a closer relationship with God and each other. Our Gospel today warns us against practicing acts of piety simply for the sake of being pious. This Lent I invite you open your hearts to the Holy Spirit, that through prayer, fasting and piety you may be led by God to spread his eternal love to someone else.
I think that the traditional methods of observing Lent, prayer and fasting, can be tools to live out our calling by Jesus to love one another as much as he loved us.
Perhaps this Lent you’ve decided to fast, or you’ve decided to give something up for the duration of Lent. You might take the money saved each week and give it directly to one of the many soup kitchens in the city. Maybe you’ve decided to set aside time for prayer and reflection this Lent. When carving out that time, perhaps you can also set aside time to volunteer in some outreach or charity program. Maybe this Lent you’ve decided to attend a church service each week or each day. You might try to bring one person with you each week, someone who hasn’t been to church in a whole or maybe someone who has never been to church at all.
Lent is a time that is often used to do what we can to bring ourselves into a closer relationship with God and each other. Our Gospel today warns us against practicing acts of piety simply for the sake of being pious. This Lent I invite you open your hearts to the Holy Spirit, that through prayer, fasting and piety you may be led by God to spread his eternal love to someone else.
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