Ash Wednesday – C

Published on 4 March 2025 at 13:04

As we gather today to enter into the holy season of Lent, marked by the ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded of our mortality and our call to repentance. The ashes symbolize not only our human frailty but also the hope of renewal and transformation through Christ. Today, we begin a journey—a journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—a pathway that leads us closer to God and to one another.

In the spirit of Franciscan spirituality, let us remember that these three pillars of Lent are not mere obligations or acts of penance, but rather invitations to deepen our relationship with God and to live out our vocation as instruments of peace, love, and mercy in the world.
The first aspect I draw your attention to on our Lenten journey is prayer. St. Francis of Assisi taught us that prayer is the breath of the soul. It is in prayer that we encounter God, that we listen to His voice, and that we open our hearts to His will. Of course, Francis knelt at the feet our Lord Jesus, and learned that spending time with him is the “one thing necessary” to build a relationship, something Jesus uttered to Martha when she asked him to scold her sister Mary for not busying herself with chores and errands. As we set aside time to pray in these forty days, let us do so with an attitude of humility and simplicity, seeking to strip away distractions and to be present before our Creator.

Again, Francis is a shining example for us in this regard. He often retreated into the wilderness to commune with God. He saw in nature the reflection of God’s beauty and love. I invite you to find your sacred space—be it in a chapel, in the garden, or even in your own home—where you can cultivate a spirit of prayer that speaks to your heart. But always remember that there is no space more sacred than before a tabernacle which contains the Body and Blood, the Soul and Divinity, of our Lord himself. He dwells there, living and breathing in the fullness of his glory, yet hidden beneath the veil of the Eucharistic species. He also dwells in your heart and is happy to reside in a soul which is in a state of grace. And he also resides in our fellow brothers and sisters, and graces our communal bonds. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.” Let us pray not only for ourselves, but also for those who are suffering, marginalized, and in need of God’s love. During this Lent let us discern Christ’s presence in all of the above and allow him to illuminate, heal and strengthen us.

The second pillar, fasting, calls us to turn our gaze inward. In the spirit of St. Francis, fasting is not simply the act of giving something up; it is an opportunity for us to detach from materialistic desires and to gratefully respond to God’s providence. Fasting teaches us to recognize our dependence on God. It cultivates gratitude and compassion within our hearts. This Lent, may we fast from things that distract us or lead us away from God—be it social media, excessive consumption, video games or negative thoughts… all those things which serve as a deceptive escape. While we need leisure, we can often become addicted to it, forgetting the weightier things in life and to try to discern, live and love God’s will with all our energy. Those things I just mentioned are distractions which interiorly divide us and rob our precious time. Instead, let us replace those distractions with acts of kindness and moments of silence, inviting God's presence into our daily lives.

Finally, almsgiving invites us to live out our faith through acts of generosity and love towards the less fortunate. St. Francis exemplified this in his life, embracing poverty not as a lack but as a richness in spirit. He understood that true wealth lies in sharing with those in need. During this Lenten season, I urge you to consider how you might offer your time, talent, and treasure to those in need.
This could mean contributing to a local charity, volunteering at a shelter or soup kitchen, helping to prepare and clean up after meals, or simply being present for someone who feels alone. Remember that almsgiving is about the spirit of giving—large or small, it is the heart behind the act that matters. As Francis once summed up our Lord’s teachings on alms: "It is in giving that we receive." Let our generosity reflect the love of Christ that has been poured into our hearts.

As we embark on this Lenten journey, let us delve deep into what our relationship with Christ ought to look like. Let us secure our link with him so that we may never hear those dreaded words which he said he will say to those who did not do his Father’s will: “Who are you? I do not know you. Get away from me you evil doers.” Let us strive to avoid sin all the more during this Lent and practice ways in which we can live throughout the entire year for our Lord. May the Mother of Christ, Mother of us all, be with you and pray for you as you embrace the conversion necessary for any child of God on their way home to paradise. Amen.


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