Joel, 2, 12-18;
Sal 50;
2Cor. 3, 20-6, 2;
Mt 6, 1-6.16-18
Today is Ash Wednesday. Not saying anything new. We begin Lent, forty days that lead us the conclusion of the Easter Triduum of the passion, death and resurrection. Tell Ash Wednesday ritual reminds us, the imposition of ashes, and many other external signs are telling us that we begin a new liturgical season, the color of liturgical vestments, the absence of floral decorations around the altar, absence of the Alleluia or the anthem of glory in the liturgical celebration ... But we do just that Lent?
We should pause a moment and get a reflection to help us better understand their meaning and lead us to live this time of grace. And told us the Word of God proclaimed. 'Now is the time of grace, now is the day of salvation' , Paul told us in his letter to the Corinthians. But the prophet has summoned us to the sound of the trumpet for us to gather together at this time and listen to the invitation from the Lord asks us to conversion.
I want to focus on these ideas in the message of Pope Benedict XVI for Lent that reminded us: 'Lent, which leads to the celebration of Easter, the Church is a liturgical season very valuable and important ... that we live with due commitment. The Community Church, assiduous in prayer and charity operates, while looking towards the final encounter with his wife in the eternal Easter, intensifies its way to purify the spirit, more wealth for the mystery of redemption new life in Christ the Lord (cf . Preface of Lent). "
intensify if, the path of purification and we remember our baptism. It is something that throughout the Lenten journey we will remember it in a way Lent is like a baptismal catechesis. 'A direct link with links to Baptism Lent as a favorable time to experience the saving grace' the Pope says in his message . 'Baptism, therefore, is the encounter with Christ that makes up the entire existence of baptism, God gives life and calls him a sincere conversion, initiated and sustained by grace, to take you to reach the adult height of Christ '.
So tell us then: 'The Fathers of Vatican II urged all pastors of the Church to use "more abundantly own baptismal elements of the Lenten liturgy" (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 109 .) Indeed, since always, the Church associated the Easter Vigil at the celebration of Baptism: In this Sacrament made the great mystery which man dies to sin, part of a new life in the Risen Christ and receives the same spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead (cf. Rom 8, 11). This free gift should be revived in every one of us, Lent offers us a journey similar to the catechumenate, which for Christians of the early Church and to the catechumens of today, is an irreplaceable school of faith and Christian life: Baptism actually live as a decisive step for its entire existence '.
We, therefore, to bear in mind the baptism throughout this Lenten season so we can get to the night Easter Vigil well prepared for the renewal of our baptism, our baptismal promises. Word of the Lord will guide us every day in our celebration. Will reflect on it, gradually planting of truth in our hearts.
But I would say you can not stand there listening to the Word, but we should find out other times of the day to meet her again, so help us to strengthen our personal prayer at a meeting Live with the Lord. To our knowledge have on hand the Bible, the Gospel for those moments of reading and reflection. It would be a good purpose that we did on this first day of Lent, the Bible or procure that these Gospels for our reading and meditation.
Pope spoke of the way to purify the spirit. From this reflection we are making prayer the word of God we will discover all things, from what we have to tear us away from sin forever. We will require effort and mastery of ourselves with God's grace. So we will be able to offer the sacrifice of the heart, renunciations of those sacrifices in things good and feel even better the strength of the Lord's grace to help us in this purification.
When we talk of sacrifices we talk about Lent, fasting, abstinence, to share what we have with the needy brother. A penitential spirit, we say. We may or we can not do fasting or abstinence may be exempt for the years or for other reasons, but that does not mean we can not offer such waiver or perhaps sacrifice other things that we can deprive ourselves without loss for our health. Coffee in the least, for example, that we take a day, a few hours less of television, a control in idle conversation or perhaps that might be hurtful to others ... if we find things where we can offer a sacrifice the Lord. And above all sharing, providing a service, reaching out to help other people getting out of our selfish individualists. Opportunities we have to do if we want.
We will not do for appearances and vanity. Jesus warns us in the Gospel. Let's do it from the bottom of our hearts. Never mind that no one will notice or see. Jesus tells us "thy Father which seeth in secret will reward you, re reward."
going to let the ash fall on our face listening to the words of the Lord's invitation Priest which reminds us little that we are, do some ashes, "but above all an invitation to change our life to live more intensely as the gospel of Jesus. This time of the imposition of ashes live it intensely felt, again, the call of the Lord in our hearts.
We will not in external things. The signs of the liturgy must help give that depth and that intensity. The whole event was to be the call of the Lord as we listened to the prophet. We gathered in the Lord to be in the sanctified. Let sanctifying grace that comes to our soul. As St. Paul told us: 'We ask this through Christ, be reconciled to God ... I urge you not to take on deaf ears the grace of God. "
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