Daily Reflection Ash Wednesday

 Lent summons all of us: elders, children, infants, priests, ministers to fast, weep, give alms and mourn. This call of the prophet, Joel, is certainly not an invitation to depression and sadness, but an invitation to grow. In the area of any sport—football, baseball, basketball, even pickleball—participants are eager to spend hours in physical exercise of any part of the body that needs to be strengthened in order to play the game well. Players even need to have their heads thinking correctly to make any kind of a win.
 
    Often people think of Lent as a depressing six weeks. However, we are followers of Jesus. Through the years we have established a deep relationship with our God. Believe it or not, Lent is a kind of honeymoon for us. Yes, we want to look at our relationship with God and evaluate how we have been deepening this friendship. The season of Lent calls us to fasting and reconciliation. If ever there were an experience of wholeness and growth, it is when we forgo foods that are not good for us on a steady diet. What more joyous way to experience life than to be reconciled with family members, who have misjudged us or argued with us! Of course, whatever way we choose to be patient and understanding of others—especially with those whose way of life or culture is different from ours—we bridge the gulf from misunderstanding to patience and acceptance. Whatever way we choose to improve our relationships with others, we are supported by this God who loves us unconditionally. We call that “grace”—the grace to be free of the sin that has a hold on us and prevents us from embracing what is good.
 
    In our gospel today, Matthew relates how Jesus is so concerned that we even do good for the right reasons. Jesus asks us to be generous with what we have and give to those in need: our possessions, our time, our words. Jesus tells us that almsgiving has always been a virtue in the Jewish faith. Again, he asks, what is our motive for giving? To help the needy or to publicize our generosity?
 
    What if we have become followers of our God in our words and in our actions, but have become discouraged? We look at our world and see how thousands and thousands have lost their lives in Turkey and Syria because of earthquakes. For whatever is affecting their minds and hearts, some people have become flagrantly violent in crowds throughout our nation. We certainly cannot eradicate all evil; but we can diminish its effects.
 
    Paul encourages us not to receive the grace of God in vain. In addition, we listen to the words of the prophet, Hosea, who is speaking on behalf of God: “Come back to me with all your heart; don’t let fear keep us apart.” We recall that what God has given us in lived love, we in turn give to others.”
 
 
Song of Hosea - Gregory Norbet (You Tube)