Ash Wednesday
(Isaiah 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)
Six years ago thirty-three miners were trapped a third of
a mile below the desert in Chile. They
were men of different temperaments and different religions. Some were willing to do anything that might
set them free. Others were resigned to
wait out there fate. There were faithful
Catholics, fervent evangelicals, Jehovah Witnesses, and confirmed
atheists. They would never have prayed
together on the outside. But here
supplication was the glue that held them together. “We are not the best of men, Lord,” they
prayed. But have mercy on us.” They also confessed their sins to one
another. One said that drank too
much. Another, that he became angry too
quickly. Another, that he was not the
best of fathers to his daughter. And so,
all humbled themselves before God. This
is our task before us during Lent.
We have forty days to recognize our sinfulness and ask
God’s mercy. Some of us will confess the
same sins as the miners. Others will
want to admit being concupiscent as youths.
Others that they have been arrogant, contemptuous and intolerant – sins that
bothered Jesus so much. We need to free
our consciences of the burdens that have prevented us from giving witness to
God. We also want to discern how we
might more fully carry out God’s will.
During this time of repentance we pay greater attention
to the traditional acts of piety. We
fast from food to remind ourselves of our dependence on God. We assist the poor in thanks to God who has
been so good to us. And we pray harder
and more often that we may be faithful ambassadors of God. As the second reading has it, we want to move
others to similar recognition of faults and commitment to service.
