My dear
friends,
FEBRUARY 22nd ASH WEDNESDAY
Day of fasting and abstinence.
At the end of this month once again we
enter the season of LENT. Ash Wednesday is a day when we can fast - either from
all food or some - and abstain from overt pleasure and whatever we consider is
at variance with the observance. But witnessing for Christ as his ambassadors
should be on our daily schedule at all times.
We may have decided to give up something
for Lent, such as sugar, chocolate, drink (G&T) or something more exotic.
The absence of these may focus our minds on the season, or narrow our
waistlines somewhat. But unless we use the time and money saved by these
deprivations in a positive way for God, they are rather futile. The purpose of
Lent is not to make us feel miserable or virtuous, but closer to God and
therefore better able to fight temptation. It also provides a time for reflection on the direction our life may be taking.
Jesus went into the wilderness to do all
these things; and the Gospels tell us very convincingly how well everything
worked out for him, this in itself is surely a great encouragement for us to do
likewise.
Few if any of us can withdraw from the
world as thoroughly as Jesus, and in any case we have less, if any,
justification for doing so. Jesus left the hustle and bustle to prepare for his
saving mission, once, and for all. We are not told that he went into the 40-day
seclusion each year. But we have our mission already lined up for us by Jesus.
We can hone it by more prayer, more reflection, more Bible study in Lent, but
the world needs Christians to be where the action is.
Fr
Roland
