Joel 2:12-18 / 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 / Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Today is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. We begin with Mother Church the Season of Lent, our preparation for the solemnity of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. Lent is a penitential liturgical season, of conversion. The liturgical color is purple. We have no flowers and we omit the Hymn of Praise and the Alleluia. We practice almsgiving, prayer and fasting, learning to die to sin in order to rise with Christ to a new life.

In the Christian communities of the first centuries, Lent was a liturgical season of preparation for Baptism celebrated on Holy Saturday, and also of renewal of baptismal promises.

By receiving the blessed ash on our heads, we humble ourselves before God, remembering that we are dust and to dust we shall return, and we accept the invitation to conversion and belief in the Gospel.

Today the evangelist Matthew speaks to us of Jesus' teaching about performing righteous deeds in secret so that they can be seen only by the heavenly Father, and thus receive His reward, the only one that really matters.

Jesus said that hypocrites gave alms, fasted and prayed to be praised and seen by men. He said that this would already be their reward.

The proposal of Lent is generosity towards those in need (almsgiving), renouncing all superfluous things (fasting) and strengthening communication with God (prayer).

Today the prophet Joel tells us about the kindness, compassion, patience and mercy of the Lord God. The prophet speaks of the proclamation of the fast, the gathering of the people, the assembling of elders and children. Joel says that the Lord's ministers must weep and ask the Lord for forgiveness for the people.

At the beginning of Lent, let us return to the Lord with whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning. He will stir to concern for His land and take pity on His people.

Today, in his second letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul speaks to us about the appellate that God makes through the apostles, who are the ambassadors for Christ. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, Paul says that the acceptable time for God to hear us is now, and that the day of salvation for Him to help us is also now.

Let us accept the Church's imploration, made on behalf of Christ, and let ourselves be reconciled to God. Let us extend this imploration to everyone. May a great reconciliation of humanity with God take place during this Lent.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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