Rend Your Heart!

 

Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-18

Rend Your Heart

Meditation

Ash Wednesday is the day on which we begin the Lenten season. We know the Lenten season is the time of purification of the sins of humans. We cleanse our bodies, our clothes, our homes, our workplaces. A cleansed place is liked and loved by all. In the like manner our heart, mind and body have to be purified in this season. Our bodily fast purifies the body from unwanted elements and makes one healthy. The bodily fast transforms the heart from impurities, inordinate desires, and unwanted emotions. 

The cleansing of the body and heart strengthens the mind and empowers the will to follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and live an upright life. Thus, working out our salvation with fear of God instils God’s immense love for us. We contemplate God’s mercy and unconditional forgiveness through his passion and death on Mount Calvary.

Do you know that one day you turn to dust?

Gospel: Mt 6:1-6,16-18

Meditation

 "Beware of practicing your piety before others to be seen by them; for then you have no to reward from your Father in heaven. "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may be praised by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done secretly, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners so that others may see them. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward.  But whenever you pray, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Mt 6:1-6).

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. On this day, we are called to be ascetics. Humans feel the need to be ascetic at times to make reparation for the wrong they have done. On Ash Wednesday, we put on our foreheads ashes and perform penance as a sign of internal and external repentance and renewal.

Those who practice the days with fasting, abstinence and prayer feel good with God, others and themselves. Some take up the ascetical practice through the lent. In Lent fast, prayer and charity are to be practiced. Fasting and prayer without charity may not bring much fruit to our lives.

Do we practice charity in word and deed?