Jo. 2:12-18; 2 Cor.
5:20-6:2; Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18
My brothers and sisters today we are entering a new Season, one of
penance and sacrifices. Together, we have gathered here to celebrate "Ash
Wednesday," the first of forty days of the Lenten Season. On this special
occasion, we are called to be reconciled to God.
Through the sacramental of
ashes that is symbolic of penance, we are reminded that we as sinners are but
dust and ashes. [Gen. 18:27]. The spiritual practice of applying ashes on
oneself as a sign of sincere repentance goes back to thousands of years [Jer.
6:26].
The sacramental that we are observing today arises from that custom, the
spiritual practice of observing public penitence.
Church history tells us that the liturgical practice of applying ashes
on one's forehead during the Lenten Season goes back as far as the eight
century. This was accompanied by different forms of fasting, prayer,
sacrifices, charity towards others, etc... The writings of St. Leo, around 461
A.D., tell us that during the Lenten Season, he exhorted the faithful to
abstain from certain food to fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution
of forty days.
In ancient societies there were various forms of
expressions of penance. In India the highest expression of penance was the
"Tapas." In the ancient world it was very common to rent the clothes
and smear oneself with ashes as a sign of repentance.
The Uttara Khanda tells
the story of Valmiki's early life, as an unnamed highway robber who used to rob
people before killing them. Valmiki was the son of Sumali. His name was
Ratnakara. One day Narada Muni was passing by that way when
he ran into Ratnakara, who insisted them to give everything he owned, from his
clothing to the shoes he was wearing. Narada asked Ratnakara why he was
committing this sin. Ratnakara answered that this was the only way to provide
food for his family. Narada, then, asked him if his family was part of this sin
that he was committing and he told him to go ask his family that same question.
Ratnakara tied Narada to a tree to make him stay in that same spot until he was
back. When Ratnakara asked his parents if they were with him on the sin that he
was doing, they replied that it was his job to take care of them, and that he
was only responsible for his own sins. His wife also said the same thing.
Ratnakara then returned to Narad Muni and fell to his feet. He told him that he
alone was responsible for the sins and asked him to help him get rid of the
sins he had committed.[5] Narada told him to repeat Lord Rama's name and that would assist him.
Then, after Narada left, Ratnakara went into a deep penance. After a long
penance, a divine light came upon him. He was free from all sins, and that he
was to be called "Valmiki".
Repentance for ones mistakes
causes the divine light fall on him, and transforms him. David listened to the
words of Prophet Nathan, and repented. At that moment God's grace fell on him. In power and
wealth, Ahab, king of Samaria, outstripped other kings. As for his wealth, it
was so abundant that each of his hundred and forty children possessed several
ivory palaces, summer and winter residences. But what gives Ahab his prominence
among the Jewish kings is neither his power nor his wealth, but his sinful
conduct. At his order the gates of Samaria bore the inscription: "Ahab
denies the God of Israel." He was so devoted to idolatry. But, Under
Jehoshaphat's influence and counsel, Ahab did penance for his crime, and the
punishment God meted out to him was thereby mitigated.
The cycle of legends
concerning Joachim and Anne were included in the Golden Legend and remained
popular in Christian Art. Joachim is described as a rich and pious man of the
house of David who regularly gave to the poor and to the temple. However, as
his wife was barren, the high priest rejected Joachim and his sacrifice, as his
wife's childlessness was interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure. Joachim
consequently withdrew to the desert where he fasted and did penance for forty
days. Angels then appeared to both Joachim and Anne to promise them a child. St.
Paul repented of his actions, and God sent Ananias to tell him that he had
found favour in the sight of the Lord.
In all the traditions there were three basic
elements for penance; prayer, fasting and giving alms.
Primarily, the season of lent reminds us that it is a time to spend in
prayer. Prayer deepens our relationship with God, and brings us closer to Him.
When we pray, we share our innermost being with God. Through prayer, we are
transformed and renewed. Jesus prayed during His life on earth to be in
constant communion with His Father. Toward the end of His ministry He prayed,
"Father, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave
me to do." We should pray because in a world filled with chaos, prayer is
the antidote to anxiety. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". (Phil 4:6-7) Prayer also
alleviates our weariness. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest" (Mt 11:28).
Secondly lent reminds us that it is a time to do penance. In the
Christian tradition we read about great saints who indulged in great penance
like imposing physical punishments like lying on thorns, whipping, spending
sleepless nights, wearing coarse cloth and so on. The spirit of these rigorous
penances is denying some pleasures. So, penance means to do something which we
find hard to do and give up things we would like to have or do. Giving up a
meal, giving up the king of food that we relish, bearing the hardships of life,
accepting ones illness, etc are little ways of doing penance. Hence, everyone
can find numerous ways of doing penance in his daily life. Penance can be
considered as a twofold medicine: it prevents us from falling into sin and it
helps us to recover when we have fallen.
Thirdly, lent reminds us that it is a time of alms giving. It is our
duty to share our fortunes with the less fortunate. Often when we think of our
fortunes, we limit ourselves to material things. Along with sharing the
material things we have also a responsibility to share our talent, our
intellectual wealth, our emotional wealth and our spiritual wealth. Hence, alms
giving means much more than helping someone in need. It also implies giving a
good advice to someone in need; visiting a suffering patient; spending time
with a lonely old person; sharing opportunities with others; encouraging people
to give up bad habits; helping someone in spiritual danger and so on.
Generations after generations have found in prayer, penance and alms
giving the means to obtain forgiveness of sins and of coming closer to God. We
too can find in them great spiritual help. But Jesus warns us that prayer,
fasting and alms-giving will never lead us to God unless we perform them with a
humble heart. In other words, pride blocks our way to God. We have an example
of this in the Jewish leaders about whom Jesus speaks in the Gospel of today:
they spend long hours in prayer, fasted more often than the Law commanded and
gave alms generously. Since their intention was attracting the attention of the
people, and gaining respect these noble things led them away from God.
Therefore, let us be humble that we may find our way to God.
Satish