First Reading: Joel 2:12-18
Psalm: 51. R. v. 3a
Second Reading: 2Cor 5:20-6. 2
Gospel: Mt 6:1-6. 16-18

Today, the Church takes a break from the Ordinary time of the Year C to begin the Lenten Season of Fasting, Prayer, Penitence and alms giving which starts today being Ash Wednesday. The Church moves from the use of the liturgical color green (symbolizing Hope, Life, and Anticipation) to the use of the liturgical color violet (symbolizing Penance, Sacrifice, and Preparation). Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of full fast and abstinence. It is also mandatory to fast from meat on these days including all Fridays in Lent. During the mass today, after the gospel and the homily, we will be marked with ashes on our foreheads. Ashes are biblical symbol of mourning and penance (Nm 19:9-10, 17-18). They symbolize our mortality and also a reminder of the joy of eternal life. Thus, the priest says as he cross-signs the ashes on our foreheads: “Remember! You are dust and to dust you shall return” or “Repent, and believe the good news!”

This call to repentance does not require an exterior display of remorse but a sincere interior conversion. This was precisely the message of the prophet Joel in the first reading: ‘We should return to the Lord with our hearts torn and not our garments’. Thus, "Let us change our garments for ashes and sackcloth: let us fast and lament before the Lord: for plenteous in mercy is our God to forgive sins" (Joel 2:13). St Paul also in the second reading advises us to be reconciled to God. Because for our sake Christ, though sinless, took our sins upon himself in order to make us righteous. Jesus in the gospel of today reiterated the need for us to carry out the three religious obligations of Lent (PRAYER, FASTING & ALMS GIVING) with a selfless motive so that its spiritual benefits will not elude us. We should therefore give alms, pray, and fast.

My dearest in Christ, It is not encouraged at this period to disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence except for health reasons. We are not to miss Mass. We should be charitable both in words and deeds, forgiving, sacrifice our leisure times to pray, love and not hate, endeavor to live or our corporal duties of visiting the sick and help the needy. We can halt excessive buying, and save money to help the poor and the needy. Lent is a period of true repentance, self-denial, and generosity of heart.

Beloved, let us begin the Holy Season discovering the true meaning of LENT, by leaving behind all negative things of the past and striving for a future filled with Hope! (Phil 3:7-14)

Fasts have a tendency to be oriented toward things like giving up food or television. But there are many other creative ways we can welcome Jesus' healing touch.

1. Fasting from anger and hatred. Give our family an extra dose of love each day.

2. Fasting from judging others. Before making any judgments, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults.

3. Fasting from discouragement. Hold on to Jesus' promise that He has a perfect plan for our life.

4. Fasting from complaining. When we find ourselves about to complain, close our eyes and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given us.

5. Fasting from resentment or bitterness. Work on forgiving those who may have hurt us.

6. Fasting from spending too much money. Try to reduce our spending by ten percent and give those savings to the poor.

Wishing you all Peace, Love, and Happiness during this Lenten season!

L - Lessen
E - Every
N - Natural
T - Tendency

#God alone.