Ash Wednesday Reflection

Ash Wednesday, A Call to Repent
A Reflection For Ash Wednesday by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD of Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus
Reformed Catholic Church International New England
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
The first reading for Ash Wednesday is from Joel 2:12-19 and it calls us with the following words, “The Lord says, Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your heart Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” What we are being told here is that we need to open ourselves up to being more compassionate and caring. We need to change our ways from being selfish and greedy and open ourselves up toward more generous and forgiving.
“Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish”. Here God is telling us, in no uncertain terms, that he is not out to inflict vengeance and condemnation upon us but is infinitely merciful and forgiving.
So many people laugh and talk about what church leaders of all denominations have done or preached in the name of God and remark how that does not seem to be what Christ had to say. I have heard many say about religious leaders “They talk the talk but they do not walk the walk” meaning of course they preach the words but their actions are the exact opposite of the teachings. If we but live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and work to bring about justice and peace to all the people of the earth then we have the following promise from God found in Joel 2: 17-19 “The Lord’s Promises Restoration, Then the Lord will pity his people and jealously guard the honor of his land. The Lord will reply, “Look! I am sending you grain and new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations.”
The Gospel for Ash Wednesday comes from Matthew 6:16-21 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you”. Again we are promised a reward for living our lives without seeking out special recognition from others and living our life for the greater glory of God. The passage further to instruct us on how to consider our possessions. “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Everything we do in this life should be directed toward our Eternal life and not toward this fleeting existence on earth. When the priest signs your forehead with the words “Remember, you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” It is meant to remind us of our mortality. We are only here for a short time and we need to use it to prepare ourselves for our eternal life.
There are so many opportunities to serve God according to Christ’s teachings in this world today. The guide I personally use for what I need to do is found in the Corporal Works of Mercy which tell us to; Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Shelter the homeless, Visit the sick, Visit those in prison, and Bury the dead. These are the criteria by which God will judge us. We will not be judged by how many rosaries we say or how many times we go to church but by whether or not we practiced these actions for the sake of all God’s children and not just for our own personal recognition.
In Paul’s Second letter to the Corinthians he writes; Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU."Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION". On this Ash Wednesday let the ashes remind us of the briefness of our time here the frailty of our nature and attempt as much as possible to become a fervent followers of Christ and children of God who will be recognizable by our actions in His honor.
Let us work fervently to seek peace and brotherhood between all of God’s children and not cause friction and dissent but live with compassion and forgiveness toward all we encounter. Let our actions speak louder than our words. Christ told us the way we needed to live all we need to do is live as He taught us.. Christ made clear the will of the Father, He clarified the teachings of the Old Testament and gave us the New Covenant now all we have to do is live by it. “LOVE THE LORD, YOUR GOD, WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART, SOUL,MIND AND BODY AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF” ..”LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU”
I close with this prayer; O Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, speak but the word and my soul shall be healed. AMEN