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Friday, February 21, 2020
2.23.2020
Wear Your Ashes on the Inside
What makes for a successful Lent? You could give up something for 40 days and still not have a successful Lent. You could remember to fast and abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and not eat meat every Friday of Lent and still not have a successful Lent. You could take up some new worthy practice, such as exercising more often, and still not have a truly successful Lent. As important as these things are, they are largely external. The first reading for Ash Wednesday from the Book of the Prophet Joel reminds us, “Rend your hearts, not your garments.” In the Bible the practice of rending or tearing one’s garments was a sign of repentance (for example, when the Sanhedrin questioned Jesus after his arrest and the high priest, “tore his robes,” as a reaction to Jesus’ “blasphemy.”) Joel invites us to tear open our hearts and not let our repentance remain at surface level. Jesus asks the same of us in the Gospel as he reminds us not to perform good deeds or pray or fast in order to be seen by others, but to do all of these things quietly and secretly. I always find this ironic, given that on Ash Wednesday we all come to Mass and have our foreheads smudged with thick, black ash. I’m not saying we should abandon that time-honored practice as an outward sign (mostly to ourselves) of our need for repentance and commitment to growing in holiness, but it is far more important that we wear our ashes “on the inside.” This Lent, through whatever outward observances we may dedicate ourselves to, l pray that we will all strive to grow closer to the Lord and commit ourselves to that deeper, interior change that will endure well beyond these next 40 plus days. --Fr. Thom
Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26. Masses with the distribution of ashes will be offered at 12 noon, 4:30 pm, and 9:15 pm. Christian churches of many denominations offer the distribution of ashes in the same way as Catholics do, symbolizing our desire to use the season of Lent to renew our lives of faith. As such, all Christians are welcome to receive ashes at these masses.
Understanding the Lenten Fast and Abstinence FASTING: Catholics age 18-59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - only partaking in one full meal. Two other smaller meals (not equaling a full meal) and liquids are permitted. ABSTINENCE: Catholics over 14 years old must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all other Fridays of Lent. Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not eggs, milk, or condiments made from animal fat. We are reminded each year that the obligation to do this penance is a serious one, but no one should be scrupulous in this regard; if health reasons or the ability to do one's work is seriously affected, these regulations do not apply.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development Internship: Are you Catholic? Interested in fighting poverty? Consider being an intern for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development! Applications are now being accepted until February 21.
Have a question about a program or event going on in Campus Ministry? Got an idea for something you'd like to see happen? EMAIL US at ministry@sau.edu.
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