Reflection by Deacon Russ for Ash Wednesday

There was a family who couldn’t get to church for Ash Wednesday services. So the father found some old palms, burned them to make ashes, and signed each of his children with the cross. “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” One of the children asked the father, “Who will sign your forehead?” Then the youngest child put his fingers into the ashes, touched his father, and said, “Remember that you are dust” . . forgot the rest – he then continued “and remember you are loved.” Isn’t that the meaning of Lent – a reminder that we are loved; and through that love we experience reconciliation, forgiveness, growth?

Some of us remember the Lents of old when we were growing up, when we gave up candy or beer or TV, when we fasted every day but Sundays, when we hardly ate any meat and filled the churches for Stations of the Cross. Confession lines were long, we were taught that lots of things were sins and God kept track. Perhaps that was overstated. But today there are no long lines, it seems like nothing is a sin and it really doesn’t matter what we do. My concern today is that many of us will just let these next 6 weeks pass like any other weeks. Life will go on as before and growth and conversion won’t have a chance.

So it’s good that we are here today. Now we must listen to the words we heard proclaimed. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus openly mocks those who go out and make a big show of their spirituality. . . those who pray loud prayers and are always telling others how much they put in the collection plate. Jesus looks at them and says, “You know what? Nobody cares. If you really love God,” he says, “then pursue him in the secret and quiet places of your life rather than giving progress reports everywhere you go.”

So for us during Lent, as we decide how we’ll spend the next forty days—whether taking up some special practice or laying aside a particular weakness—it’s important to remember that the point is not impressing others . . . not even God. God does not care whether you can go forty days without potato chips or candy. God does care whether you live in love and whether he has your whole heart.

Our journey through Lent is a time to be quiet, to listen, to remember God’s promise to us, to celebrate our freedom from temptation and sin and death. It is a season of deep loving. So, paraphrasing Pope Francis, let me suggest a new way of fasting and feasting.

This Lent, let’s fast from worry and feast on trusting in God; let’s fast from complaining and feast on appreciation; let’s fast from negatives and feast on the positives; let’s fast from bitterness and feast on forgiveness; let’s fast from self-concern and feast on compassion for others; let’s fast from judging others and feast on Christ within them; let’s fast from words that pollute and feast on phrases that purify; let’s fast from discontent and feast on gratitude; let’s fast from discouragement and feast on hope.

Our Lent ushers in springtime - a season of new life and growth. I urge you to invite God more into your life; work on it, from now until Easter. So, right now, in a moment of silent prayer, tell God right now that, during these 40 days, you would like to focus on listening to Him. (Pause) Right now, tell him what you will do this Lent to be tuned in to God’s very word spoken to you. (Pause) Tell Him what you will do to pray in the quiet of your heart. (Pause)

This Lent, God wishes to interrupt you and to find a new place in your life. Go ahead, let him in. Remember that you are dust, and remember that you are loved.

If you have a brief faith reflection on today’s reading that you would like to share, please send it to me at deaconruss@holyspiritunoh.org.