Ashes are a symbol of Lenten repentance, commitment to soaking up God’s grace
The ashes that give the first day of Lent its name may wear off quickly, but the constant need that they symbolize for self-examination and turning back to God must be remembered and acted upon throughout these 40 days.
Throngs of Catholics of all ages gathered for Masses on Ash Wednesday to mark the start of the annual season of repentance and conversion leading up to the celebration of Easter.
“The ashes are a reminder that Christ suffered and died for our sins,” Father Tony Rinaldo, pastor of St. Andrew parish in Tipton and Annunciation parish in California, stated in his Ash Wednesday homily.
“It’s a reminder that it’s time to start again,” he told St. Andrew parishioners and all the students of St. Andrew School. “It’s another day, another Lent and another opportunity to grow in grace and let God change us from the inside out.”
He pointed out that ashes are a powerful symbol from Old Testament times, showing penance, remorse and a heart-rending appeal to God for forgiveness of sins.
For Christians, “they are a reminder that Christ died for our sins,” and also an admonition not to receive that grace in vain.
“I don’t think I’m the only one here who needs to receive the sacrament of reconciliation,” Fr. Rinaldo stated. “I don’t think I’m the only one here who needs to ask for God’s forgiveness for the way I have spoken to others, for the things I have done and the things I have failed to do.”
He urged everyone to see Lent as positive time for self-examination, repentance and reconciliation.
“As we enter into Lent with the sign of ashes, let’s reach out to the Lord and say, ‘Hold up Your mirror for me: the mirror of Your Word, the mirror of the Holy Spirit, and let it shine on me, so that I can know that I need to change,’” he said.
He also encouraged everyone to pray for transformation and to be open to God’s often unconventional response to that request.
“When we ask God to change us, He does!” the priest noted. “But He doesn’t do it the easy way. He sends people into our lives to challenge us, to call us to task.”
Pledge to conversion
Father Bill Peckman, pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul parish in Boonville and St. Joseph parish in Fayette, pointed out that the ashes of Ash Wednesday are not “magic pixie dust” that act as a replacement for conversion.
“Rather,” said Fr. Peckman, “they represent a pledge to God during this Lenten season to use His grace, especially through the sacramental life of the Church, to rend your hearts and in conversion to become the person, the Catholic, the son or daughter of God you were created to be.
“In presenting yourself for ashes, you are making a pledge, a commitment to conversion,” he said.
Tools for holiness
Father Charles Pardee reminded the people of St. Peter parish in Jefferson City that “we are dust.”
“In the beginning, God scooped up the dirt and blew into it, giving us life,” the pastor of St. Peter parish stated. “We were pure holiness, as God breathed into us.”
Just as farmers and gardeners are getting ready to make things grow this spring, so, too, must people till the soil of their spiritual life.
“Today, we’re given the tools as we begin Lent — to pray, fast and give alms,” said Fr. Pardee. “We are given these tools to work our spiritual lives and be made holy again — totally holy!”
God pours out His grace. But like rain on the soil, if people, who are made of dust, do not receive this grace, there will be no growth.
“So we open our lives to all of the goodness that God gives us,” said Fr. Pardee, “and we use the tools of prayer, fasting and giving of alms in order to be holy as God made us and wants us to be holy.”
