Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Lenten season. It is a reminder — a restart for some of the Catholic faithful — to repent one’s sins, to reflect on the purpose of one’s life, and to renew the vow to serve in the ministry of God.
In the Philippines, Ash Wednesday bears significance as the faithful flock to churches all over the country. Similar to the tradition followed by early Christians, where they cover themselves in ash as a sign of penance and humility, Filipinos line up in front of a priest who will bless them by applying ash in the shape of a cross on their forehead.
The ash, traditionally produced from burning palms from last year’s Palm Sunday celebration, represents man’s mortality — “remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return, ashes to ashes, earth to earth.” It is also a vivid “sign” of God’s blessing of life, so Catholics choose to keep the ash cross symbol on their forehead the whole day.
For those strictly observing Lent, this is the time to refrain from eating meat and limiting consumption of food as a way of observing Christ’s sacrifice while he was on earth. The faithful are also encouraged to organize events that promote charity and compassion, especially to the poorest of the poor. Acts of charity reflect Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” To put it simply, we can best serve Christ by assisting those in greatest need.
As we enter the Lenten season, this is the most opportune time for solemnity and contemplation. Aside from being a time for inner reflection and to humbly ask for God’s forgiveness, it is a time for praying for family and friends who are experiencing a tumultuous time in their lives — they may appear well and composed on the outside but are already suffering tremendously inside.
While praying, whisper also a prayer for the world’s citizens — for our brothers and sisters who are in the midst of conflict, for those whose homes and livelihood were destroyed by earthquakes and natural calamities, for those who are victims of injustice, hunger, abuse, and discrimination. We pray for them so that in their quest to live another day, they find love in a hopeless place.
Early this week, the Vatican shared Pope Francis’ message this Lent of 2023, with the theme, “Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey.” “Lenten penance is a commitment, sustained by grace, to overcoming our lack of faith and our resistance to following Jesus on the way of the cross. To deepen our knowledge of the Master, to fully understand and embrace the mystery of his salvation, accomplished in total self-giving inspired by love, we must allow ourselves to be taken aside by him and to detach ourselves from mediocrity and vanity. We need to set out on the journey, an uphill path that, like a mountain trek, requires effort, sacrifice and concentration,” said Pope Francis.
The Pope highlighted his message with encouragement, that we may not be weary in our journey with Christ: “The synodal process may often seem arduous, and at times, we may become discouraged. Yet what awaits us at the end is undoubtedly something wondrous and amazing, which will help us to understand better God’s will and our mission in the service of his kingdom.”