*Reflection for Ash Wednesday 17/02/202*

Joel 2:12-18; 2Cor 5:20-6.2. Mt.6:1-6, 16-18

*Theme- “time to return to God”*

Today, the cycle of Lent begins, the liturgical time of conversion, when the Church prepares us for the great feast of Easter. The readings suggest a real turnaround in our actions. The prophet Joel calls us to sincere repentance, with a contrite heart. Crying, let our heart be thorned, is a  gesture that express sincere regret and the purpose of no longer offending God.  It is a favorable time for us to repent of our sins, a time to reflect and rethink our life in what we need to change in order to be better and to live closer to Christ. 

There is a way to go back to God, however, we need to make an effort so that we can purify our body so that our spirit dominates and guides our journey towards heaven.  We need to go back to acknowledge our sin and ask the Lord for forgiveness in any situation we find ourselves in. The Lord is always ready to give us another chance by pouring out His mercy on us. 

In this Gospel Jesus teaches us to be restrained in our manifestations of piety, not using our actions of justice as a pretext for us to be appreciated by men.   The fasting, prayer and almsgiving are practices that makes us grow spiritually, and through them we can dominate our human will.

When we fast we have the purpose of purifying our body, controlling our will, as well as solidarity with those in need, feeling their pain in our own flesh.  When we pray, we lift up our hearts to God and take hold of His mercy that motivates us to get involved in the pain of our brothers and to do good deeds. When we give alms, we are putting into practice the love that has been exercised by fasting and prayer. So almsgiving is a result of the two other actions. It is our solidary involvement with the need and shortage of those who live on the margins. 

Three times in this Gospel, Jesus refers to hypocrites as those who give alms, pray and fast, only to be praised, seen and admired by "men". For this reason, Jesus warns us: “ Pay attention not to practice your justice in front of men, only to be seen ”. - 

Questions: What do you prefer: pleasing God or men? Do you usually propagate the good deeds you practice?  What is your attitude when you are fasting? Does your prayer life connect you  with God?        

prayer: Lord help us to do what we can in prayer, in mortification, in fraternal charity; help us to do it in humility and sincerity before You. Infuse us with your Holy Spirit to guide and protects us through the desert of penance, during this Lent. Amen.

Have a spirit filled lenten season.

Pax- peace 🙏🏾Fr Raph Jnr OSJ.