SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR ASH WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 17TH, 2021
Joel 2:12-18. Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17. 2 Corinthians 5:20 — 6:2. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
LENT: THE SEASON OF GRACE!
Fr. Emmanuel(Nwachinaemere)
Today is Ash Wednesday, the Church’s season of grace and return to the Lord. The time of purification for the journey to Good Friday. Today begins the Lenten Season of the church’s liturgical year.
The first reading boldly invites us to make a U-turn to Lord. “Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning” (Joel 2:12-18).
Today we begin a 40-day spiritual journey. We begin 40 days of prayer, fasting and alms giving. We begin 40 days of immersing ourselves into God’s grace. Lent is a period of grace. This is the favourable and acceptable time.
In the Gospel, Jesus gives us the necessary aids for this journey of Lent. Alms giving, Prayer and Fasting. We shall be reflecting on these different aspects within this period too.
But in all, let our attitude be the right one towards these disciplines of lent-Prayer, Fasting and Alms giving. Pope Francis calls on us not to ignore anybody begging on the street, and says the way one reaches out to the person looking for help must be done “by looking them in the eyes and touching their hands”.
Finally, let us look for an area of our life, where the purification can begin, and work towards eliminating it.
It could be a sinful behavior, an attitude or way of life, etc. for the ashes we receive today is a sign that we are ready for this change and not for decoration.
Lord, as we begin this holy season of Lent, help us Lord to purify ourselves and journey with you. Amen. Today is a day of fasting and Abstinence, though not a holiday of obligation.
FASTING AND ABSTINENCE DURING LENT, THE CHURCH’S WAY: As we begin the Lenten Season, it is good to remind ourselves how the Church has outlined some of the Lenten Disciplines, besides what the Church has given, individuals according to their piety and state of health can do more. Moreover, the Bishops’ Conferences and even particular Bishops can give some other similar Disciplines to their flocks.
- Everyone 14 years of age or older is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays in Lent including GOOD FRIDAY.
- Everyone 18 years of age and under 60 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
- On these two days of fast and abstinence only one full, meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal one full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
- To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is a serious matter.
- Going to Mass every Sunday, doing acts of charity, forgiveness, mercy and good deeds of virtue are obligations of daily life of Catholics especially during Lent. HAPPY LENTEN SEASON AND MAY GOD GIVE YOU THE NEEDED STRENGTH TODAY AND ALWAYS FOR THE JOURNEY. Blessings to you and to your family +. Please pray the HOLY ROSARY EVERYDAY it is so powerful. “A CHRISTIAN IS NOT AN ORDINARY PERSON AND THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IS A LIFE OF WARFARE”.
Peace be with you.
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