LENT, A SPECIAL TIME OF GRACE

ASH WEDNESDAY: Mt 6:1-6,16-18

This is the day of salvation

In Catholic tradition, Lent is always a special time of grace. That's why at the beginning of Lent, we listen to Paul's proclamation: "Now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation" (2 Co 6:2).

We should not allow this day to pass by, without our hearts being touched by it. As Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, so we are to spend 40 days closer to Jesus, listening to his word, being trained by him, walking on his footsteps and trying to be like him.

Celebrating the year of the faith, let us seize the opportunity this Lent offers us to become closer to Jesus and to make him the centre of our lives. Faith is first of all this relationship with Jesus.

Be faithful to God’s will

Speaking to us, in today's gospel, Jesus tells us not to be carried away by a craving for fame. We should not behave strangely, just for the sake of being noticed and talked about. Our foremost concern must be to remain faithful to God's will, without making a fuss about it.

And then Jesus gives us counsel on how to make this lent season very special by concentrating our minds and hearts on three special exercises, which must be done with the right attitude:

• PRAYER - as a time for a personal encounter and dialogue with God. No disturbances, no noises, no publicity. Alone, in the secret of my room, in God's presence. Nobody else needs to know.
• ALMSGIVING - sharing what I have with those in need, without attracting anybody else's attention, be it my neighbour or the media.
• FASTING - not only for health reasons, but with a spiritual attitude of sacrifice and of penance, as an exercise to prepare the mind and the body to embrace what is important and to recognise God's primacy.

In all these three areas, Jesus gives a stern warning: "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them" (Mt 6:1)