Ash Wednesday

Today's Mass Readings

This year our custom for imposing ashes will change in the U.S. However, the practice of sprinkling ashes on the crown of the head as opposed to marking a cross on the forehead is more common throughout the world. Honestly, I prefer the new custom. It felt odd to hear Jesus’ words about hypocrisy and then get a showy sign: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them,” says the Lord, “otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.”

That is not to say that we don’t need outward means to convert. Once a nobleman who came to St. Philip Neri for spiritual direction asked permission to wear a hairshirt – an itchy garment worn next to the skin for mortification. The saint saw a greater virtue for the noble, however. Philip Neri gave him permission on the condition that he wear it over his expensive clothes. The externals can help if they assist interior reform. It is hard to amend the will without tangible means and the Church’s support.

I suggest two ways to do this in Lent. They seem contradictory, but hear me out. First, choose things that you can do for forty days and beyond. Giving up chocolate won’t mean anything unless I understand why I fast. I refrain from something that is morally neutral so that I will have the power to resist evil temptation; I fast to unite my sacrifice to the Cross of Christ for sinners’ conversion. If I want to lose weight, that’s a happy byproduct, but not my goal. The traditional Lenten good works of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving should not be so austere that I get to Easter and am relieved to quit them! Reformation of life should not end after Lent.

Second, while you should persevere with your good works, be patient when you fail in them. If you think you had a successful Lent because you did your prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to a T, you are a good Pelagian. Pelagianism was a heresy condemned by the early Church that taught you did not need God’s grace to be saved: you do the work. The fact is we can do no good without Christ’s power at work in us. In fact, we may grow holier by falling and failing, thus coming to rely on Him more in humility and gratitude. Therefore, we should persevere for forty days but be patient with our imperfection.

Rend your hearts, not your garments. Return to the Lord your God with your whole heart. Store up your treasure in heaven, for where your treasure is there too will your heart be. May God grant us all a blessed Lent.

Reflection by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB