Wednesday, February 17, 2010: Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 ; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 – Ash Wednesday
Posted by Rev. Bekeh Utietiang on February 18, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Today, we begin our traditional 40 days of prayer, fasting, almsgiving and penance. It is a time that most Christians make decisions on the things they want to give up throughout the season of Lent. It is a time of conversion. As Christians, every day should be a day of conversion. We need to pray for conversion every day of our lives. I want to invite you this season of Lent to look at your commitments as a new beginning in your life. Begin a new relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship marked with prayer, fasting, almsgiving and penance. These should not only be practiced during Lent. They are important aspects of our faith lives that we must strive to live all through our lives. In prayer, we open the door of our lives for Jesus Christ to come and share our lives with us. In Revelation 3: 20, he says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” Let this Lent be the time we open the doors of our lives for Jesus to come and share our lives with us.
In fasting, we give up some of the temporary pleasures of this world to unite ourselves more closely with Jesus. Our world tells us the only reason to forgo food is to lose weight so that we may be like super thin models. When we give up food or any pleasure of this world, we strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ. Let us give up some of the pleasures of this world to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ.
In almsgiving, we share Christ’s love with the needy in our society. There are many who are in need because of the economic crisis or the natural disaster. This Lent, rediscover your common humanity with them. I encourage you to dedicate 2% of your income to help those who are in need.
In penance, we recognize our sinfulness and we want to restore our relationship with the father. This parish has many opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation throughout the year. I encourage you to make use of these opportunities in order to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ.